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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


IV. 

A  History  of  the  Fishes  of  Massachusetts. 
BY   DAVID   HUMPHREYS   STOEER,  M.  D.,  A.  A.  S. 


As  one  of  the  Commissioners  on  the  Zoology  of  Massachusetts,  in  the  year  1839, 
I  prepared  a  Report  on  the  Ichthyology  of  the  State.  From  the  brief  time  occupied  in 
its  preparation,  it  was  necessarily  imperfect,  and,  not  being  accompanied  by  figures, 
was  comparatively  useless,  except  to  scientific  men.  Since  the  appearance  of  that 
communication,  much  information  has  been  obtained  respecting  several  of  the  most 
common  and  valuable  fishes,  and  quite  a  number  of  new  species  have  been  ascertained 
to  exist  in  our  waters. 

Having  carefully  re-described  all  the  species,  I  trust  the  following  paper  will  present 
an  accurate  history  of  the  fishes  of  our  State.  Considering  this  as  the  completion  of  my 
former  Report,  I  have  kept  in  view  the  primary  object  of  the  commission,  —  to  ascer- 
tain the  value  of  our  Fauna  in  an  economical  point  of  view,  rather  than  to  prepare 
labored  scientific  descriptions. 

To  all  who  have  aided  me  since  this  paper  was  commenced,  or  rather  since  my 
attention  was  first  directed  to  our  ichthyology,  I  would  return  my  grateful  acknowledg- 
ments. The  following  gentlemen,  to  whom  in  my  previous  Report  I  remarked  I 
was  under  peculiar  obligations,  I  cannot  pass  by  unnoticed  :  — 

Thomas  Kidder,  Esq.,  of  the  General  Inspection  Office,  Boston,  for  his  polite 
attention  in  furnishing  me  with  all  the  statistical  information  in  his  power  regarding 
the  quantities  of  fish  inspected  in  the  State ; 

C.  R.  Vickery,  Esq.,  of  Taunton,  for  his  very  acceptable  remarks  respecting  the 
fisheries  of  Taunton  River  ; 

Hiram  Hosmer,  M.  D.,  of  Watertown,  for  his  numerous  and  valuable  facts  con- 
cerning the  fisheries  of  Charles  River; 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  8 


50  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Elisha  Bartlett,  M.  D.,  of  Lowell,  for  his  interesting  account  of  the  fisheries  of  the 
Merrimack  River  ; 

J.  B.  Forsyth,  M.  D.,  of  Chelsea,  formerly  of  Sandwich,  for  much  useful  information 
respecting  the  fishes  taken  along  "  the  Cape  "  ; 

Jonathan  Johnson,  Jr.,  of  Nahant,  for  several  very  rare  species,  and  many  valuable 
observations  concerning  more  common  fishes. 

To  Captain  Nathaniel  Blanchard,  a  veteran  fisherman  of  Lynn,  and  Leroy  M.  Yale, 
M.  D.,  of  Holmes's  Hole,  I  am  most  deeply  indebted  ;  —  to  the  former,  for  his  constant 
and  unwearied  efforts  to  serve  me  amid  the  fatigues  of  his  arduous  occupation,  during 
the  entire  period  I  was  engaged  in  the  State  Survey,  and  for  many  judicious  remarks 
and  valuable  details  imparted  to  me,  respecting  the  fishes  and  fisheries  of  the  northern 
shore  of  Massachusetts  Bay ;  and  to  the  latter,  for  his  invaluable  aid.  To  him  I  am 
not  only  obliged  for  specimens  of  nearly  one  fifth  of  all  the  species  I  have  described, 
and  which,  but  for  him,  I  could  not  have  procured,  but  also  for  many  specimens  of  more 
common  species,  and  much  valuable  information  respecting  them.  Since  these  obser- 
vations were  made,  my  excellent  friend,  Dr.  Yale,  while  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  his 
professional  duties,  contracted  a  malignant  disease,  the  attack  of  which  he  survived  but 
a  few  days.  By  his  death,  science  has  lost  an  enthusiastic  votary,  and  his  profession 
a  most  honorable  member. 

During  the  last  six  or  eight  years,  no  individual  has  rendered  me  such  essential 
assistance  as  Captain  Nathaniel  £.  Atwood,  of  Provincetown.  For  nearly  thirty  years  a 
practical  fisherman,  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  habits  of  most  of  our  fishes,  and 
willing  and  ready  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  advance  my  wishes,  he  has  placed  me 
under  obligations  which  I  cannot  express.  For  several  fishes  never  before  described, 
and  for  much  acceptable  information  respecting  each  of  our  marketable  species,  I  am 
indebted  to  him,  the  best  practical  ichthyologist  in  our  State. 

To  Professor  Agassiz  my  thanks  are  due  for  many  valuable  suggestions  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  this  work,  and  to  his  accomplished  draughtsman,  Mr.  Sonrel,  for  the  admirable 
plates  which  illustrate  it. 

In  my  nomenclature,  I  have  been  guided,  as  far  as  possible,  by  the  principle  which 
would  give  the  credit  of  a  species  to  the  author  who  first  placed  it  under  its  appropriate 
genus.  This  plan,  I  am  led  to  understand,  is  about  being  adopted  by  our  most  eminent 
naturalists. 

In  addition  to  the  works  mentioned  in  my  "  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  North 
America,"  the  following  have  been  consulted  in  the  preparation  of  this  paper :  — 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  51 

Richardson.     Report  on  North  American  Zoology.     London.     1837. 
Schomburghk.     History  of  Barbados.     London.     1848. 
Zoology  of  Beechey's  Voyage  to  the  Pacific.     4to.     London.     1839. 
Magasin  de  Zoologie,  par  Guerin  de  Meneville.     8vo.     Paris. 
Agassiz.    Lake  Superior.     8vo.     Boston.     1850. 

Storer,  H.  R.     Observations  on  the  Fishes  of  Nova  Scotia  and  Labrador,  in  Boston  Journal  of  Natural 
History,  Vol.  VI.    1850. 

Perky.     Catalogue  of  the  Fishes  of  New  Brunswick  and  Nova  Scotia.     Frederickton.     1837. 


CLASS  I.    OSSEOUS   FISHES. 

SKELETON  bony,  the  osseous  matter  being  deposited  in  fibres.  Sutures  of  the  cranium 
distinct,  with  maxillary  or  intermaxillary  bones,  always  one,  and  generally  both,  present. 
Gill-membrane  with  rays. 

ORDER  I.    ACANTHOPTERYGII.     SPINE-RAYED. 

They  are  known  by  the  spines  which  represent  the  first  rays  of  the  dorsal  fin,  or 
which  alone  sustain  the  anterior  fin  of  the  back,  when  they  have  two.  Sometimes, 
instead  of  an  anterior  dorsal  fin,  they  have  nothing  but  a  few  free  spines.  Their  anal 
fin  has  also  some  spines  instead  of  the  first  rays,  and  there  is,  in  general,  one  to  each 
ventral. 

FAMILY  I.   PERCHLE. 

Comprehends  fishes  with  an  elongated  body,  covered  with  hard  or  rough  scales,  in 
which  the  operculum  or  preoperculum,  and  frequently  both,  have  indented  or  spinous 
edges,  and  in  which  the  jaws,  the  front  of  the  vomer,  and  almost  always  the  palatines, 
are  furnished  with  teeth. 

GENUS  I.   PERCA,  Ccv. 

Two  dorsal  fins  distinct,  separated  ;  the  rays  of  the  first  spinous,  those  of  the  second 
flexible ;  tongue  smooth  ;  teeth  in  both  jaws,  in  front  of  the  vomer,  and  on  the  palatine 
bones ;  preoperculum  notched  below,  serrated  on  the  posterior  edge  ;  operculum  bony, 
ending  in  a  flattened  point  directed  backwards.  Branchiostegous  rays.  Scales  rough- 
ened, and  not  easily  detached. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

; 

PERCA  FLAVESCENS,  Cuv. 

The  American  Yellow  Perch. 

(PLATE  II.  FIG.  1.) 

Bodiamis  flavescens,  Yellow  Perch,  MITCHILL,  Trans  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  421. 

La  Perche  jaunatre  d'Jimiriquc,  Perca  flavescens,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  des  Poissons,  n.  p.  46. 

Perca  flavescens,  American  Perch,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  in.  p.  1,  pi.  74. 

"  "  Common  Perch  of  Massachusetts,  STOKER,  Massachusetts  Report,  p.  5. 

Bodiamis  flanescens,  Yellow  Perch,  KIRTLAND,  Rep.  on  Zool.  of  Ohio,  pp.  168,  190. 
Perca  flavcscms,  Yellow  Perch,  KIRTLAND,  Bost  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  v.  p.  337,  pi.  27,  fig.  2. 

"  "          American,  Yellow  Perch,  DEKAY,  N.  Y.  Report,  p.  3,  pi.  1,  fig.  1. 

"  "          AYRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  256. 

"  "          American  Yellow  Perch,  LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

La  Perche  a  operculesgrenv.es,  Perca  strrato-granulata,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  n.  p.  47. 
Perca  serrato-granulata,  GRIFFITH'S  CUT.,  x.  pi.  39,  fig.  1. 

'<  "  DEKAY,  N.  Y.  Report,  p.  5,  pi.  22,  fig.  64. 

"  "  Common  Perch,  THOMPSON,  Hist.  Vermont,  p.  129. 

La  Perche  it  t(.te  grenue,  Perca  granulata,  Cuv.  et  VAX..,  YII.  p.  48,  pi.  49. 
Perca  granulata,  JARUIM.,  Nat.  Lib.,  i.  p.  92,  pi   1. 

"  "          DEKAY,  N.  Y.  Report,  p.  5,  pi.  48,  fig.  220. 

"  "          LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

La  Perche  a  museau  pointu,  Perca  acuta,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  n.  p.  49,  pi.  10. 
Perca  acuta,  Sharp-nosed  Perch,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  in.  p.  4. 

"         "  "  Yellow  Perch,  DEKAY,  N.  Y.  Report,  p.  6,  pi.  68,  fig.  222. 

La  Perche  gr&le,  Perca  gracilis,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  n.  p.  50. 
Perca  gracilis,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  in.  p.  4. 

"          "          Slender  Yellow  Perch,  DEKAY,  N.  Y.  Report,  p.  6. 
Perca  flavescens,  STORER,  Mem.  of  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  269. 

"  "  STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  17. 

"  "  AGASSIZ,  Lake  Superior,  p.  291. 

Color.  Above  of  a  greenish-yellow ;  sides  golden-yellow,  crossed  by  seven  trans- 
verse dark  bands,  all  broader  above  than  below,  and  those  upon  the  middle  of  the 
body  broadest.  Abdomen  white  ;  lower  jaw  tinged  with  pink.  Centre  of  operculum 
of  a  deep  green.  Head  darker  than  rest  of  body.  Pupils  back  ;  irides  golden. 
Dorsal  and  caudal  fins  yellowish-brown  ;  pectorals  yellow  ;  ventrals  and  anal  a 
bright  scarlet. 

Description.  The  length  of  the  head  is  less  than  one  fourth  of  the  entire  length. 
Top  of  head  broad  and  flattened  ;  that  portion  of  it  between  and  in  front  of  eyes 
is  naked,  and  covered  by  a  smooth  membrane  ;  the  portion  back  of  eyes  is  bony,  and 
roughened  by  raised,  radiating  striae.  The  preoperculum  is  scaled,  and  serrated  along 
its  entire  edge,  save  a  small  portion  of  its  superior  posterior  angle,  which  is  naked 
and  smooth.  The  operculum  is  a  subtriangular  bone,  covered  at  its  upper  part  by 
a  few  scales,  but  otherwise  almost  entirely  scaleless,  and  exhibiting  numerous  raised 
lines  diverging  to  its  outer  edge,  which  presents  in  some  instances  a  few  serrations, 
and  terminates  posteriorly  in  a  sharp  angle  or  spine.  The  subopercle  is  scaled  above, 
naked  beneath,  and  minutely  denticulated  along  its  edge.  The  scapulary  bones  are 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  53 

slightly  corrugated  by  striae.  The  humeral  bones  are  strongly  denticulated.  Eyes 
of  moderate  size,  preceded  by  several  mucous  pores.  The  anterior  nostril  much  in 
advance  of  the  posterior,  which  is  the  larger.  The  lateral  line  commences  at  the 
humeral  bone,  and,  assuming  the  curve  of  the  body,  is  continued  to  the  base  of  the 
tail. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  arises  nearly  on  a  line  with  the  pectorals ;  its  height  is  equal 
to  one  third  of  its  length.  The  rays  are  very  stout,  their  naked  extremities  projecting 
above  the  transparent  membrane  connecting  them ;  fin  rounded  posteriorly.  I  have 
seen  several  specimens  in  which  the  fourth  and  sixth  rays  of  this  fin  were  about  one 
half  the  height  of  the  third  and  fifth  rays,  and  the  connecting  membrane  was  con- 
tinued directly  above  their  extremities,  as  if  they  were  absent.  The  membrane  stretch- 
ing from  the  last  ray  of  the  first  dorsal  fin  extends  to  the  first  of  the  second  dorsal. 

The  second  dorsal  is  subquadrangular,  rounded  above ;  it  is  more  than  half  the  length 
of  the  first.  The  first  ray  is  very  minute,  and,  as  well  as  the  second,  is  spinous ;  the 
third  ray  is  simple  :  all  the  soft  rays  are  articulated. 

The  pectorals  arise  just  beneath  the  humeral  bone.  They  are  quite  long ;  fan- 
shaped  ;  their  rays  are  bifurcated  and  articulated. 

The  ventrals  are  subtriangular  ;  they  arise  at  a  distance  back  of  the  pectorals 
equal  to  one  third  their  height  ;  their  outer  ray  is  a  strong  spine,  the  others  are 
multifid. 

The  anal  is  higher  than  long,  and  arises  about  opposite  the  middle  of  the  second 
dorsal ;  its  first  two  rays  are  spinous,  the  first  less  than  one  half  the  height  of  the 
second. 

The  caudal  is  deeply  emarginate. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:— B.  7.  D.  13.  2-13.  P.  15.  V.  1  -5.  A.  2-8. 
C.  18.  Length  12  to  15  inches. 

In  this  species,  as  in  many  others,  I  have  represented  two  scales,  one  from  the  lateral 
line,  and  one  from  above  it,  whose  characters  will  sufficiently  distinguish  them. 

Remarks.  This  species  is  universally  distributed  throughout  the  State.  In  the  spring 
and  autumn,  it  is  frequently  found  in  the  market,  and  is  readily  sold.  When  young, 
it  usually  swims  in  extensive  shoals,  while  the  larger  ones  remain  in  the  deepest 
water,  and  by  themselves.  It  does  not  take  its  food  timidly,  but  seizes  it  instantly 
without  nibbling.  It  is  not  only  caught  with  the  hook  in  summer,  but  also  through 
the  ice  in  winter,  with  pickerel,  and  in  pretty  large  quantities  in  brooks  while  netting 
for  alewives.  Individuals  are  seldom  taken  which  measure  more  than  twelve  or  fifteen 
inches  in  length.  Mr.  Ayres  has  seen  a  specimen  weighing  two  and  a  half  pounds,  and 


54  HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Dekay  has  caught  them  weighing  nearly  three  pounds.  This  species  has  been  re- 
peatedly transported  from  one  pond  to  another  with  complete  success.  Dr.  Mitchill 
transferred  them  a  distance  of  forty  miles. 

It  has  been  noticed  in  Maine,  Massachusetts,  STOKER  ;  New  Hampshire,  H.  R. 
STORER;  Vermont,  THOMPSON  ;  Connecticut,  AYRES  ;  New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY; 
Pennsylvania,  HALDEMAN  ;  Ohio,  KIRTLAND  ;  and  in  all  the  ponds  and  streams  of  the 
great  lakes,  RICHARDSON,  AGASSIZ  ;  New  Brunswick  and  Nova  Scotia,  PERLEY. 

GENUS  II.    LABRAX,  Cuv. 

Distinguished  from  the  Perch  by  the  scaly  opercula,  terminating  with  two  spines, 
and  by  a  tongue  covered  with  prickles. 

LABRAX  LINEATUS,  Cuv. 

The  Striped  Bass. 

(PLATE  I.   FIG.  4.) 

Scitfna  lineala,  BLOCK,  pi.  304. 

Perca  Mitchilli,  Striped  Bass  or  Rock-fish,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  413,  pi.  3,  fig.  4. 

Rock  Bass,  MEASE,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  502. 

Le  Bar  rayt  (ou  Rock-fish)  des  Etats-Unis,  Labrax  lineatus,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  H.  p.  79. 

Lab-ax  lineatus,  GRIFFITH'S  Cov.  x.  p.  103. 

"  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  in.  p.  10. 

"  STOKER,  Report,  p.  7. 

"  AVRES,  Bost.  JounT  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  257. 

"  DEKAY,  N.  Y.  Report,  p.  7,  pi.  1,  fig.  3. 

"  LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

"  STORER,  Mem.  of  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  H.  p.  273. 

"  "         STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  21. 

Color.  The  upper  part  of  the  body  is  silvery  brown,  with  a  greenish-blue  tinge  ; 
the  sides  are  lighter ;  the  abdomen  of  a  beautiful,  clear  silvery  color ;  the  opercula 
are  more  or  less  golden.  Eight  or  more  longitudinal  black  bands  pass  from  behind 
the  operculum  towards  the  tail ;  the  upper  bands  are  lost  just  back  of  the  termination 
of  the  second  dorsal  fin  ;  the  three  or  four  central  ones  extend  to  the  caudal  fin ;  while 
the  lower  ones  reach  only  the  posterior  portion  of  the  anal,  or  are  even  lost  anterior 
to  that  fin.  Sometimes  these  bands  are  all  entire  ;  in  other  specimens,  more  or  less 
of  them  are  interrupted  at  intervals  ;  while  in  others  still,  instead  of  being  straight 
throughout,  frequent  undulations  or  curves  are  observed.  It  sometimes  happens  that 
all  the  bands  on  one  side  of  the  fish  are  perfect,  while  all  on  the  other  side  of  the 
same  specimen  are  broken  or  irregular.  Pupils  black ;  irides  golden. 

Description.      The   form   of  this  species   is    cylindrical.     Length  of  head   to  entire 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  55 

length  of  fish  is  as  1  to  4.  The  scales  on  the  body  are  large  and  quadrangular,  less 
than  one  third  of  scale  attacned,  marked  by  concentric  lines  upon  their  sides  ;  numer- 
ous very  delicate  striae  diverge  from  the  centre  of  the  attached  base  to  the  entire 
extent  of  the  free  edge.  Sixty-two  scales  along  the  lateral  line  ;  ten  scales  in  an 
oblique  line  from  the  origin  of  the  dorsal  to  the  lateral  line.  The  whole  head  is 
covered  with  scales,  including  the  intermaxillary  bones,  save  the  suborbitar  bones  and 
the  portion  in  front  of  and  between  the  nostrils.  The  scales  are  largest  on  sides  of 
body  ;  smaller  towards  tail  and  on  anterior  back,  smallest  on  top  of  head.  The  eyes 
are  circular,  their  diameter  equal  to  about  one  third  the  distance  between  them.  The 
nostrils  are  situated  anterior  to  eye,  at  a  distance  about  equal  to  diameter  of  eye ; 
the  posterior  is  circular  and  the  longer ;  the  anterior  is  larger.  The  lower  jaw  is  the 
longer.  Teeth  in  jaws  numerous  and  very  small ;  the  largest  are  at  the  middle  of 
the  upper  jaw.  Teeth  upon  the  palatine  bones.  Tongue  rough  at  its  base  and 
upon  its  sides,  smooth  in  its  centre.  The  operculum  at  its  posterior  angle  is  armed 
with  two  spinous  processes,  the  lower  of  which  is  the  larger  and  more  acute  ;  they  are 
margined  with  a  dark-colored  membrane.  The  preoperculum  at  its  posterior  edge  is 
very  delicately  and  minutely  serrated  ;  these  serrations  are  larger  at  its  inferior  margin. 

The  lateral  line,  which  is  very  distinct,  arises  just  above  the  superior  spinous  process 
of  the  operculum,  and  is  continued  in  a  straight  course  through  the  middle  of  one 
of  the  longitudinal  bands,  to  the  centre  of  the  tail,  upon  the  rays  of  which  it  is  lost. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  arises  on  a  line  with  the  posterior  half  of  the  pectorals  ;  it  is 
twice  as  long  as  high ;  the  first  ray  is  one  sixth  the  height  of  the  fourth  and  fifth, 
which  are  the  longest  rays  in  the  fin. 

The  second  dorsal  is  not  as  long  as  the  first.  The  first  ray  is  spinous  ;  the  second 
ray,  which  is  the  longest,  is  two  thirds  as  high  as  the  length  of  the  fin. 

The  pectorals  are  situated  just  beneath  the  inferior  spine  of  the  operculum  ;  their 
length  to  their  height  is  as  1  to  5. 

The  vehtrals  are  situated  just  back  of  the  pectorals ;  their  first  ray  is  spinous,  and 
three  fifths  as  long  as  the  second  ray,  which  is  the  longest  of  the  fin  ;  the  rays  are 
multifid.  They  are  of  the  same  length  as  the  pectorals. 

The  anal  arises  on  a  line  with  the  middle  of  the  second  dorsal ;  its  first  three  rays 
are  spinous ;  the  first  of  these  is  one  fourth  the  height  of  the  third.  This  fin  is  shorter 
than  the  second  dorsal ;  it  is  one  fifth  longer  than  high. 

The  caudal  at  its  base  is  equal  in  depth  to  the  length  of  the  pectorals ;  it  is  as  wide 
again  at  its  extremity,  when  expanded,  as  its  depth  at  base.  Fin  quite  deeply  forked. 

In  each  of  the  fins,  the  scales  are  more  or  less  continued  upon  them. 


56  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  — D.  9.  1  - 12.     P.  18.     V.  1  -5.     A.  3-11.     C.  18. 
Length,  3  to  4  feet. 

Remarks.  This  fine  species  is  taken  in  considerable  numbers  upon  our  coast.  It  is 
generally  found  upon  shoals  near  the  land,  where  frequently  a  dozen  or  more  may  be 
seen  at  a  time  beneath  the  water,  quietly  lying  upon  the  rocky  bottom.  Large 
quantities  of  small  bass  are  caught  with  nets  near  Chelsea  and  Nantasket  beaches. 
Captain  Atwood  writes  me,  that  at  Provincetown  a  few  are  caught  in  the  summer  with 
hook  and  line,  by  men  standing  upon  the  shore ;  and  that  in  the  months  of  September 
and  October,  when  this  fish  is  passing  by,  on  its  way  to  the  South,  large  quantities  are 
sometimes  taken  with  nets,  in  the  following  manner.  Several  men  put  off  from  the 
Race  in  a  boat,  with  a  net  from  seventy  to  eighty  fathoms  long  and  from  three  to  four 
fathoms  deep ;  when  the  boat  is  at  a  short  distance  from  shore,  a  line  attached  to  the 
net  is  thrown  ashore,  and  secured  by  some  of  the  fishermen  there  in  waiting,  and  a 
portion  of  the  net  is  dragged  from  the  boat.  As  soon  as  the  fish  are  seen  swimming 
along,  near  the  bottom,  the  rest  of  the  net  is  let  out  of  the  boat,  which  is  now  rowed 
ashore,  while  the  other  extremity  of  the  net  is  drawn  thither  by  the  rest  of  the  gang. 
In  this  way  hundreds  are  taken  at  a  haul  ;  but  as  a  large  number  of  men  is  required, 
and  considerable  time  is  necessarily  expended,  this  business  is  not  very  profitable,  and 
is  not  attended  to,  unless  it  be  at  times  of  leisure  from  other  pursuits.  At  Buzzard's 
Bay  they  are  speared  by  torch-light  to  some  extent,  in  the  month  of  May. 

In  the  winter,  this  species  goes  up  into  the  rivers  and  arms  of  the  sea.  It  is  most 
common  in  Boston  market  in  autumn  and  winter.  At  some  seasons  of  the  year  it  is 
taken  in  large  numbers  in  seines,  while  at  others  the  market  is  partially  supplied  by 
those  taken  with  the  hook,  and  consequently  its  price  varies,  from  three  to  twelve  cents 
per  pound.  It  is  most  readily  taken  by  the  hook,  when  it  is  baited  with  the  Squid 
(Loligo  illecebrosa).  The  larger  individuals  feed  voraciously  upon  this  animal,  and  are 
hence  called  "  Squid-hounds."  The  flesh  of  this  species,  particularly  of  the  larger  ones, 
is  rather  coarse,  but  meets  with  a  ready  sale  when  fresh.  In  1836,  a  small  number  of 
barrels  (67)  was  packed  and  inspected.  Bass  of  considerable  size  are  often  taken  in 
Boston  harbor.  In  July,  1837,  I  saw  a  specimen  weighing  36  pounds,  which  had  been 
taken  from  one  of  the  city  bridges  over  Charles  River ;  and  I  have  been  told  that  an- 
other, weighing  77  pounds,  had  been  taken  from  the  same  bridge.  The  largest  individ- 
ual I  have  known  to  be  taken  by  any  of  our  fishermen  weighed  84  pounds. 

New  Brunswick,  PERLEY.  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  and  Massachusetts,  STOKER. 
Connecticut,  AYRES.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER,  DEKAY. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS.  57 

LABRAX  RUFUS,  Dekay. 

The  White  Perch. 

(PLATE  I.   FIG.  1.) 

Bodianus  rufus,  Red  Perch,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  420. 
Le  petit  Bar  d'AmMque,  Labrax  mitcronatus,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  H.  p.  86,  pi.  121. 
Labrax  mucronalus,  Small  American  Bass  or  White  Perch,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  8. 
Labrax  rufus,  Ruddy  Bass,  DF.KAY,  Report,  p.  9,  pi.  3,  fig.  7. 
Labrax  mucronalus,  AVRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  257. 

»  «  White  Perch,  LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

Labrax  rvfus,  STOKER,  Mem.  of  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  H.  p.  274. 

"         "       STOKER,  Synopsis,  p.  22. 

Color.  A  silvery  gray,  darker  above  the  lateral  line.  The  sides  and  gill-covers 
exhibit  metallic  reflections.  Lips,  intermaxillaries,  and  tongue  minutely  dotted  with 
black.  Dorsals,  pectorals,  and  caudal  brown ;  ventrals  and  anal  rose-colored  at  their 
base  ;  throat  also  rosaceous.  Pupils  black  ;  irides  silvery. 

Description.  Body  much  compressed,  a  perceptible  convexity  in  front  of  the  first 
dorsal  fin.  The  depth  of  the  body  across  from  the  first  dorsal  is  to  the  length  about 
as  3%  to  10.  The  length  of  the  head  to  the  whole  length  of  the  body  is  as  1  to  4. 
The  gill-covers,  intermaxillary  bones,  and  the  space  between  the  eyes  are  scaled ;  the 
portion  in  front  of  the  eyes  and  nostrils  is  naked.  The  eyes  are  circular ;  their 
diameter  is  to  the  distance  between  the  eyes  as  3  to  5.  The  nostrils  are  situated  just 
in  advance  of  the  superior  anterior  angle  of  the  eye ;  the  posterior  is  oval,  the  larger, 
and  placed  obliquely,  pointing  backwards ;  the  anterior  is  circular.  The  upper  jaw  is 
protractile ;  both  jaws  are  armed  with  numerous  very  minute  teeth.  The  tongue  has 
a  row  of  very  delicate  teeth  upon  its  sides.  The  preoperculum  is  serrated  posteriorly 
and  inferiorly,  the  serrations  upon  the  inferior  edge  being  much  the  larger.  The  oper- 
culum  has  at  its  posterior  edge  a  sharp  spinous  process,  and  above  this,  separated  by 
an  emargination,  is  an  obtuse  point. 

The  scales  upon  their  exposed  surface  are  covered  with  minute  dots,  like  those  of 
the  lips  and  tongue  ;  they  are  denticulated  at  their  edge.  Seven  scales  are  found  in  an 
oblique  line  from  the  lateral  line  to  the  origin  of  the  first  dorsal  fin.  The  lateral  line, 
which  is  very  distinct,  commences  just  beneath  the  subscapular  bone,  and,  rising  a  little 
at  first,  pursues  nearly  a  straight  course,  from  a  line  opposite  the  commencement  of  the 
first  dorsal,  to  the  tail,  including  55  scales. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  arises  opposite  the  anterior  half  of  the  pectorals,  and  is  entirely 
composed  of  spinous  rays ;  the  first  of  these  is  the  shortest,  and  the  fourth  the  longest ; 
the  fin  is  about  half  as  long  as  high.  The  membrane  of  the  last  ray  of  this  fin  is 
continued  to  the  base  of  the  first  ray  of  the  second  dorsal,  which  is  nearly  quadrangular, 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  9 


58  HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

and  is  composed  of  soft  rays,  with  the  exception  of  the  first,   whose  height  is  about 
two  thirds  that  of  the  next.     This  fin  is  longer  than  high. 

The  pectorals  are  quite  hroad  when  expanded  ;  in  height  they  are  equal  to  the 
length  of  the  second  dorsal. 

The  ventrals  are  just  back  of  the  pectorals  ;  their  height  is  equal  to  that  of  the 
pectorals. 

The  anal  arises  on  a  line  with  the  fifth  ray  of  the  second  dorsal.  Its  height  and 
length  are  equal.  It  terminates  on  the  same  plane  with  the  second  dorsal.  The 
second  spinous  ray  is  very  stout. 

The  caudal  is  considerably  emarginated ;  the  depth  at  its  base  is  equal  to  half  the 
depth  of  extremity  when  expanded. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  9.  1  -  12.  P.  15.  V.  1  -5.  A.  3  -  9.  C.  17f. 
Length  12  to  15  inches. 

Remarks.  This  species  is  brought  to  Boston  market  in  the  spring  and  autumn,  from 
the  mouths  of  the  neighboring  rivers,  and  the  ponds  to  which  the  sea  has  access. 

By  the  fishermen  it  is  known  as  the  "  White  Perch."  Its  usual  weight  is  about  half 
a  pound.  December  12th,  1837,  I  saw  a  specimen  in  Boston  market  which  measured 
fifteen  inches  in  length,  and  weighed  one  pound  and  three  quarters,  and  its  stomach 
contained  a  specimen  of  the  shiner,  Leuciscus  chrysoleucas,  more  than  five  inches  long. 

Found  in  New  Brunswick,  PERLEY  ;  Maine,  Massachusetts,  STOKER  ;  Connecticut, 
AYRES,  LINSLEY  ;  New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER,  DEKAY  ;  South  Carolina,  DEKAY. 

Although  the  Labrax  pallidus  of  Dekay  was' introduced  in  my  "  Synopsis  "  as  belonging 
to  this  State,  I  am  inclined  to  think  the  two  species  above  described  to  be  the  only  ones 
we  possess  ;  and  that  perhaps  the  pallidus  and  rufus  may  prove  to  be  one  and  the  same. 

/  , 

GENUS  III.  CENTROPRISTES,  Cuv. 

A  single  dorsal  fin ;  branchiostegous  rays  seven  ;  all  the  teeth  small  and  crowded  ; 
no  canines.  Their  preoperculum  is  dentated,  and  the  operculum  spinous. 

CENTROPRISTES  VARIUS,  Storer. 
The  Black  Sea-Bass  or  Perch. 

(PLATE  II.   FIG.  4.) 

Perca  taria,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  415,  pi.  3,  fig.  6. 

Centropristes  nigricans,  GRIFFITH'S  Cuv  ,  x.  p.  117. 

Le  Centropriste  noir,  Centropristes  nigricans,  COY.  et  VAL.,  HI.  pp.  37,  44. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  59 

Centropristcs  nigricans,  Regne  Animal,  ed.  VAT..,  pi.  9,  a,  fig.  1. 

«  «          Black  Perch,  Black  Sea-Bass,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  9. 

"  "          Black  Sea-Bass,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  24,  pi.  11,  fig.  5. 

"  "          LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

"  "          STORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  11.  p.  287. 

"  "          STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  35. 

(Lutjanus  trilolus,  LACEP.?) 

Color.  Of  a  dark  brown,  almost  black,  above ;  lighter  beneath  ;  of  the  head,  sea 
or  bronze  green.  In  some  specimens,  after  death,  there  is  a  greenish  tinge  upon  the 
abdomen,  and  a  bluish  one  upon  the  top  and  back  of  head.  The  dorsal  and  anal  fins 
are  white ;  the  former  crossed  by  black  bars,  the  latter  marked  by  fuliginous  blotches. 
The  pectorals  are  of  a  leaden  color,  varied  with  dark  brown  ;  the  membrane  of  the 
ventrals  is  white,  while  the  rays  are  nearly  black. 

Description.  Body  elongated,  compressed  ;  convex  in  front  of  the  dorsal  fin.  Great- 
est depth  of  body  equal  to  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  fish.  Length  of  head  to  the 
posterior  angle  of  the  operculum  equal  to  rather  more  than  one  third  the  length  of  the 
fish.  Head,  between  and  in  front  of  eyes,  without  scales.  Scales  upon  the  sides  of 
the  body  large  ;  small  upon  the  preopercle,  and  at  the  base  of  the  tail.  Eyes  of 
moderate  size.  Nostrils  double,  situated  just  anterior  to  the  superior  anterior  angle  of 
the  eyes  ;  the  anterior  is  tubular ;  the  posterior  much  the  larger.  Jaws  equal  in  length, 
armed  with  a  great  number  of  minute,  sharp,  card-like  teeth  ;  upper  jaw  protractile. 
Lips  fleshy.  The  whole  posterior  edge  of  the  preoperculum  is  denticulated  ;  the  inferior 
edge  is  serrated.  A  flat,  sharp  spine  is  situated  at  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum, 
below  which  is  a  broad,  fleshy  elongation  projecting  beyond  it,  the  posterior  portion  of 
which  is  destitute  of  scales.  By  the  union  of  the  opercle  and  interopercle,  a  slight 
notch  is  produced.  Humeral  bone  denticulated.  The  lateral  line,  which  is  of  a  dark 
color,  arises  at  the  lower  edge  of  the  humeral  bone,  and  assumes  the  curve  of  the  body. 

The  dorsal  fin  arises  on  a  line  with  the  base  of  the  pectorals  ;  its  first  ten  rays  are 
spinous.  At  the  posterior  portion  of  each  of  these  spines,  suspended  from  the  upper 
edge  of  the  connecting  membrane,  is  a  small  fleshy  tentacle.  The  first  ray  is  shortest, 
the  fourth  longest.  The  eleven  fleshy  rays  are  higher  than  the  spinous  ones,  artic- 
ulated and  bifid  ;  this  portion  extends  farther  back  than  the  anal  fin. 

The  pectorals  arise  just  below  the  fleshy  projection  of  the  operculum ;  they  are  fan- 
shaped,  quite  broad  when  expanded,  and  rounded  posteriorly. 

The  ventrals  are  just  in  front  of  the  pectorals  ;  the  middle  rays  are  longest ;  their 
length  equal  to  that  of  the  pectorals. 

The  anal  fin  commences  back  of  the  soft  rays  of  the  dorsal ;  the  first  three  rays  are 
spinous.  Fin  higher  than  long. 


60  HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  caudal  is  slightly  convex  at  its  centre,  and  its  upper  portion  projects  beyond  the 
lower.  It  is  scaled  quite  high  upon  its  rays,  which  are  bifid  and  articulated. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  — D.  10-11.  P.  17  or  18.  V.  1  -  5.  A.  3-7.  C. 
17  or  18.  Length  about  one  foot. 

Remarks.  This  species,  which  is  known  among  our  fishermen  as  the  "  Black  Bass  " 
and  "  Black  Fish,"  is  taken  in  large  numbers  in  the  months  of  May,  June,  and  July  at 
Holmes's  Hole,  and  carried  to  the  New  York  market,  where  it  is  considered  one  of  the 
most  valuable  fishes,  and  meets  with  a  ready  sale.  While  visiting  Gay-Head  in  August, 
1846,  I  learned  that  this  species  had  become  much  less  abundant  there  than  formerly. 
Thirty  years  since,  it  was  not  an  uncommon  circumstance  for  sixty  sail  of  vessels  to  be 
fishing  about  Gay-Head  at  a  time.  And  even  fifteen  years  ago,  this  species  was  quite 
numerous ;  but  several  years  since  it  disappeared  almost  entirely.  They  are  beginning 
to  reappear  again  within  the  last  two  or  three  years,  but  are  quite  small.  They  are 
taken  about  ledges  in  deep  water,  and  weigh  from  five  to  eight  pounds.  They  seldom 
wander  into  Massachusetts  Bay  ;  the  few  that  are  met  with  in  Boston  market  are 
brought  from  New  Bedford.  July  1st,  1846,  a  specimen  was  taken  at  Nahant. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     New  York  to  Florida,  DEKAY. 

This  is  evidently  Mitchill's  Perca  varia,  and  I  have  therefore  retained  his  specific 
name. 

GENUS  IV.    POMOTIS,  Ccv. 

A  few  denticulations,  more  or  less  obvious,  on  the  borders  of  the  preoperculum. 
Palatines  and  tongue  smooth,  and  without  teeth.  Minute  teeth  on  the  jaws,  vomer, 
and  pharyngeals.  Branchial  rays,  six.  A  membranous  elongation  at  the  angle  of  the 
operculum. 

POMOTIS  VULGARIS,  Cuv. 

The  Bream. 
(PLATE  III.   FIG.  1.) 

Le  Pomotis  Commun,  Pomotis  vulgaris,  Ccv.  et  VAL.,  in.  p.  91,  pi.  49,  et  VH.  p.  465. 
Pomotis  mdgaris,  Regne  Animal,  ed.  VAL.,  pi.  10,  fig.  3. 

"  "  Northern  Pomotis,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  in.  p.  24,  pi.  76. 

"  "  JAHDINE,  Nat.  Lib.,  i.  p.  162. 

•'  "  Fresh-water  Sun-fish,  Pond  Perch,  Bream,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  11. 

"  "  AYBES,  Host.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  258. 

"  "  Sun-fish,  Roach,  KIRTLAND,  Report  on  Zool.  of  Ohio,  p.  191. 

"  "  Harlequin  Roach,  KIRTLAND,  Host.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  in.  p.  470,  pi.  28,  fig.  2. 

"  "  THOMPSON,  History  of  Vermont,  p.  130. 

"  "  Common  Pond-fish,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  31,  pi.  51,  fig.  166. 

"  "  LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

"  "  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  292. 

"  "  STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  40. 

"  "  AOASSIZ,  Lake  Superior,  p.  293. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS.  61 

Color.  Greenish-brown  above,  with  irregularly  distributed  rusty  blotches  ;  in  some 
specimens  a  certain  regularity  is  observed  in  the  arrangement  of  these  blotches,  pro- 
ducing longitudinal  bands  along  the  sides.  Beautiful,  undulating,  longitudinal  deep- 
blue  lines  across  gill-covers.  Opercular  membrane  black,  with  a  bright  scarlet  blotch 
at  its  posterior  portion.  Abdomen  whitish.  Dorsal,  anal,  and  caudal  fins  dark  brown. 
Ventrals  and  pectorals  yellowish. 

Description.  Body  compressed,  oval.  The  back  curves  very  gradually  as  far  as  the 
posterior  extremity  of  the  dorsal  fin,  then  abruptly  gives  place  to  the  fleshy  portion  of 
the  tail.  Head  less  than  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  body.  Eyes  large,  circular. 
Nostrils  double,  the  anterior  tubular.  Mouth  small ;  teeth  very  minute  and  sharp.  The 
edge  of  the  preopercle  very  finely  denticulated.  The  lateral  line  arises  at  the  upper 
posterior  edge  of  the  operculum,  and,  assuming  the  curve  of  the  body,  is  lost  at  the 
base  of  the  caudal  rays.  Scales  upon  the  body  large,  dentated  at  their  bases ;  those 
at  the  base  of  the  fins,  small. 

The  soft  portion  of  the  dorsal  fin  is  highest  and  rounded  posteriorly.  The  ex- 
tremities of  the  spines  of  the  anterior  portion  of  this  fin  project  above  the  connecting 
membrane  ;  attached  to  them  are  small  tubercles.  The  first  dorsal  spine  is  shortest ; 
the  fourth  and  fifth  spines  are  the  longest. 

The  pectorals  are  long,  when  extended  reaching  the  soft  portion  of  the  dorsal  fin. 
The  anal  terminates  on  a  line  with  the  dorsal. 
The  caudal  is  emarginate. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:— D.  10-12.  P.  13.  V.  1-5.  A.  3-10.  C.  17. 
Length  rarely  exceeds  eight  inches. 

Remarks.  As  Agassiz,  in  his  work  on  Lake  Superior,  considers  our  species  as  dis- 
tinct from  that  which  is  known  in  the  Southern  States  by  the  same  scientific  name,  I 
have  omitted  several  references  in  my  list  of  synonymes  which  were  retained  in  my 
"  Synopsis."  It  is  a  common  species  in  the  ponds  of  the  various  portions  of  the  State, 
and  is  taken  with  the  Perca  flavescens,  Leuciscus  chrysoleucas,  Esox  reticulalus,  &c. 
By  many  it  is  considered  a  very  sweet  fish,  although  it  is  but  seldom  brought  to 
market.  It  is  known  by  the  names  of  "  Bream,"  "  Ruff,"  "  Pumpkin-seeds,"  and 
"  Kivers." 

They  build  circular  nests  by  removing  the  weeds  from  the  bottom,  and  excavating 
the  sand  or  gravel  to  so  great  an  extent  that  they  are  often  two  feet  in  width  and  a 
half  foot  in  depth.  They  are  commonly  placed  near  each  other,  and  sometimes  in  so 
shallow  water  that  the  usual  falling  of  the  river  in  summer  will  leave  them  dry.  In  this 
way,  besides  the  ordinary  chance  of  falling  a  prey  to  the  appetite  of  other  fishes,  a 


62  HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

large  proportion  of  the  species  is  yearly  destroyed.  In  its  care  of  the  nest,  it  is  very 
assiduous,  and  at  this  time  it  can  be  not  only  closely  observed,  but  sometimes  even 
handled,  without  its  deserting  its  charge. 

New  Brunswick,  PERLEY.  Massachusetts,  STORER.  Vermont,  THOMPSON.  Con- 
necticut, AYRES,  LINSLEY.  New  Hampshire,  H.  R.  STORER.  New  York,  MITCHILL, 
DEKAY.  Ohio,  KIRTLAND.  Kentucky,  RAF.  The  Great  Canadian  Lakes,  RICHARDSON. 

,  POMOTIS  APPENDIX,  Dekay. 

The  Red-tailed  Bream. 
(PLATE  III.  FIG.  4.) 

Lalrus  appendix,  Slack-tared  Pond  fish,  MITCHILL,  Supp.  to  Amcr.  Month.  Mag.,  n.  p.  247. 
Pomotis  appendix,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  32. 

"  "          LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

Pomotis  rutri-cauda,  Red-tailed  Pomotis,  STORER,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  177. 

"  "  LINSLEY,  Cat.  of.  Fishes  of  Conn. 

Pomotis  appendix,  STORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  294. 

"  "          STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  42. 

Color.  When  alive,  of  a  general  rusty  brown,  or  in  some  specimens  golden  brown, 
more  strongly  marked  above  the  middle  of  the  body  by  ferruginous  spots  being  densely 
distributed  along  the  scales ;  these  spots  are  more  sparse  and  more  distinct  below  the 
lateral  line ;  the  body,  beneath  and  in  front  of  the  ventral  fins,  of  a  blood-red  color ; 
the  throat  is  bluish-white.  A  bluish-white  undulating  line  runs  from  the  upper  jaw 
just  beneath  the  eye,  across  the  operculum  and  beneath  the  opercular  membrane  to 
its  posterior  extremity  ;  a  second  line  of  a  similar  character  arises  just  above  this,  and, 
interrupted  by  the  eye,  again  commences  back  of  it,  and  passes  over  the  opercular 
membrane  ;  so  that  the  membranous  appendage  of  the  operculum,  which  is  broad, 
rounded  posteriorly,  and  of  a  uniform  black  color,  is  between  these  lines.  Beneath 
the  undulating  lines  just  spoken  of  are  bluish-white  blotches  irregularly  distributed  upon 
the  preoperculum,  some  of  them  passing  downwards  towards  its  lower  edge.  Pupils 
black,  irides  red.  The  dorsal  fin  is  anteriorly  of  a  dark-brown  color ;  its  posterior 
membranous  portion  is  red.  The  ventrals  are  red  at  their  base  and  black  at  ex- 
tremities. The  pectorals  are  of  a  yellowish-brown  color.  The  anal  is  yellowish  at 
its  base  and  fuliginous  at  its  margin.  The  caudal  is  of  a  blood-red  color.  After  death, 
the  body  becomes  of  a  bluish-gray  color  ;  the  abdomen  changes  to  orange ;  the  ex- 
tremities of  the  ventrals  are  purple ;  and  the  tail  is  rust-colored,  livid  posteriorly. 

Description.  Length  of  head,  including  the  opercular  membrane,  equal  to  about  one 
third  the  length  of  the  body  ;  greatest  depth  of  fish,-  exclusive  of  the  dorsal  and 
anal  fins,  equal  to  more  than  one  third  the  length  of  the  body.  The  head,  between 


HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  63 

and  in  front  of  the  eyes,  is  naked.  The  eyes  are  circular  ;  their  diameter  less  than 
the  distance  between  them.  Gape  of  mouth  large.  The  posterior  nostril  is  the 
longer.  The  lateral  line  commences  above,  and  in  front  of,  the  base  of  the  opercular 
membrane,  and  assumes  the  arch  of  the  body. 

The  dorsal  fin  commences  above  the  posterior  portion  of  the  opercular  membrane ; 
its  first  and  second  spines  are  the  shortest ;  the  membranous  portion  is  rounded  above 
and  posteriorly. 

The  pectorals  are  broad  and  rounded. 

The  rays  of  the  ventrals  are  multifid. 

The  soft  portion  of  the  anal  is  rounded  along  its  entire  margin. 

The  caudal  fin  is  somewhat  emarginated. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  — D.  10  to  11  -9  to  11.  P.  11  to  12.  V.  1-5. 
A.  3-9  to  10.  C.  18.  Length  about  six  inches. 

Remarks.  The  specimens  I  have  seen  of  this  species  were  sent  me  from  Concord, 
by  Mr.  Edward  S.  Hoar ;  they  were  taken  with  P.  vulgaris.  Although  Mitchill,  in 
his  description  of  the  Labrus  appendix,  makes  no  mention  of  the  color  of  the  fins, 
which  is  a  striking  character,  it  agrees  in  other  particulars  so  nearly  with  the  species 
before  me,  that  I  cannot  but  think  they  are  identical  ;  and  therefore  suppress  here, 
as  I  have  previously  done  in  my  Synopsis,  my  specific  name  q£  "  rubri-cauda." 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     New  York,  MITCHILL. 

The  Genus  Sphyrcena,  which  has  usually  been  included  in  the  Family  Percidce, 
will  be  introduced  hereafter  in  a  different  group. 


FAMILY  II.    TRIGLID^E. 

Contains  a  numerous  series  of  fish,  to  which  the  singular  appearance  of  their  head, 
variously  bristled  and  covered  with  armor,  gives  a  peculiar  physiognomy.  Their  general 
character  consists  in  having  the  suborbitar  bone  more  or  less  extended  over  the  cheek, 
and  articulated  behind  with  the  preoperculum. 

GENUS  I.    PRIONOTUS,  CTJV. 

Pectorals  very  large,  with  numerous  rays.  A  band  of  even  teeth  on  the 
palatines. 


64  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

PRIONOTUS  LIJNEATUS,  Dekay. 
The  Banded  Gurnard. 
(PLATE  V.  FIG.  4.) 

Trigla  lineata,  Gurnard  or  Sea-Robin,  MITCHII.L,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  430,  pi.  4,  fig.  4. 
Le  Prionote  strib,  Prionotus  strigatus,  Cov.  et  VAL.,  iv.  p.  86. 
Prionotus  strigalus,  Regne  Animal,  ed.  VAL.,  pi.  20,  fig.  2. 

'  '  Sea-Robin,  Gurnard,  Grunter,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  12. 

'  '  AYRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  258. 

'  '  LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

Prionotus  lin  atus,  Banded  Gurnard,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  45,  pi.  4,  fig.  12. 

'  '  STORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  302. 

'  '  STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  50. 

Color.  The  recent  specimen  is  of  a  reddish-brown  color  above,  and  the  entire 
surface,  including  the  head,  is  covered  with  numerous  black  dots.  The  gill-covers 
and  intermaxillaries  in  some  specimens  are  orange.  The  dead  fish  is  of  a  slate- 
color  above  the  lateral  line,  with  a  few  black  dots  irregularly  distributed  over  its 
surface,  the  sides  are  lighter,  with  a  reddish  tint  ;  abdomen  white.  Beneath  the 
lateral  line,  and  parallel  to  it,  runs  a  broader  brownish  line,  which  arises  under  the 
humeral  spine  ;  this  line  is  broken  at  its  posterior  extremity  with  interrupted  points 
or  spots.  Beneath  the  anterior  portion  of  this  line  are  several  broken  brown  bands. 
The  first  dorsal  fin  is  of  a  light  reddish  tint,  with  a  black  blotch  upon  the  upper  portion 
of  the  membrane  between  the  fourth  and  fifth,  or  third,  fourth,  and  fifth  rays.  .The 
anterior  edge  of  the  first  three  rays  barred  with  black.  The  second  dorsal  is  reddish. 
The  pectorals  are  fuliginous  beneath  and  reddish  above  ;  fuliginous  also  in  centre  of 
upper  portion,  with  numerous  transverse  black  lines,  which  are  more  obvious  at  the 
base  of  the  fin.  The  ventrals  are  white. 

Description.  Head  broader  than  the  body ;  its  length  rather  less  than  one  third  the 
length  of  the  fish ;  its  depth  equal  to  more  than  half  its  length,  and  made  up  of  seven 
distinct  bony  plates,  which  form  a  perfect  helmet  of  defence.  The  whole  upper  part 
of  the  head,  the  occiput,  the  space  between  the  eyes,  and  the  portion  anterior  to  the 
snout,  are  composed  of  one  plate ;  this  portion  is  roughened  throughout  its  whole 
extent  by  irregular  corrugations,  and  terminates  posteriorly  in  two  strong,  very  acute 
spines  ;  at  the  upper  anterior  and  posterior  angles  of  the  eyes,  minute  spines  are  also 
observed.  This  plate  is  emarginated  anteriorly,  deeply  truncated  posteriorly.  The 
operculum  is  a  distinct  plate,  of  an  irregularly  triangular  form,  having  two  spines  at 
its  posterior  extremity  ;  the  lower  larger  and  pointing  directly  back,  the  upper  pointing 
obliquely  upwards  ;  this  plate  is  covered  with  elevated  striae  radiating  from  the  anterior 
portion  towards  the  circumference,  and  is  separated  from  the  preopercle  by  a  membrane, 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  65 

which  renders  it  movable  ;  its  margin  is  bordered  by  a  wide  membrane.  The  pre- 
operculum  is  rather  small  and  is  triangular,  slightly  movable,  and  divided  at  its  lower 
portion  by  a  horizontal,  serrated,  bony  ridge,  which  terminates  posteriorly  in  a  naked 
spine  ;  beneath  this  ridge,  the  inferior  portion  is  corrugated  and  granulated  ;  from  the 
base  of  the  preopercle,  radii  diverge  to  its  upper  portion.  Suborbitar  bones  roughened 
like  the  top  of  the  head ;  cheek-bones  covered  with  elevated  striae,  slightly  serrated 
upon  their  whole  lower  margin,  and  strongly  serrated  anteriorly  on  each  side  of  the 
snout.  A  strong  ridge  upon  the  humeral  bone,  serrated  on  its  under  edge,  terminating 
in  a  naked  spine.  All  the  spines  upon  the  head  are  much  more  acute  in  young 
specimens.  In  front  of  the  emargination  of  the  frontal  bony  plate  is  a  naked  mem- 
branous portion,  equal  in  width  to  the  distance  between  the  eyes ;  in  this  space,  half 
way  between  the  eyes  and  the  extremity  of  the  snout,  are  situated  the  nostrils,  the 
posterior  of  which  is  the  larger.  Eyes  oblong ;  longest  diameter  equal  to  the  distance 
between  the  eyes.  Jaws  armed  with  numerous,  small,  card-like  teeth  ;  upper  jaw 
projecting  beyond  the  lower.  Tongue  colorless,  fleshy.  The  lateral  line  arises  above 
the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and,  curving  slightly  downwards  to  a  line  op- 
posite the  space  between  the  dorsal  fins,  thence  pursues  a  straight  course  to  the  tail. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  is  situated  in  a  groove  which  partially  receives  it  when  closed, 
and  arises  just  back  of  a  line  with  the  termination  of  the  occipital  spines ;  it  is  longer 
than  high.  Its  first  ray  is  spinous,  and  serrated  upon  its  entire  anterior  edge ;  the 
second  and  third  rays  are  serrated  at  their  upper  anterior  portion  ;  the  third  and  fourth 
rays  are  the  longest.  It  is  composed  of  ten  spinous  rays ;  the  three  posterior  are 
exceedingly  small,  and  look  like  isolated  spines,  between  the  fins. 

The  second  dorsal  is  one  third  longer  than  high ;  its  rays  are  bifid,  and  their  tips 
slightly  project  beyond  the  connecting  membrane. 

The  pectorals  are  very  broad  when  expanded,  and  are  one  third  the  length  of 
the  body.  On  a  line  with  the  base  of  the  pectorals,  beneath  them,  are  three  fleshy 
appendages,  somewhat  similar  in  their  appearance  to  the  fin  rays,  though  larger,  and 
of  equal  size  throughout  their  entire  length  ;  the  upper,  which  is  the  longest,  is  equal 
to  half  the  length  of  the  pectorals. 

The  ventrals  are  situated  beneath  the  base  of  the  pectorals  ;  their  longest  rays 
are  equal  to  two  thirds  the  length  of  the  pectorals  ;  the  connecting  membrane  is  emar- 
ginated  between  the  tips  of  the  rays.  The  first  ray  is  spinous,  and  shorter  than  the 
others. 

The  anal  fin  arises  back  of,  and  terminates  posteriorly  to,  the  second  dorsal,  which 
fin  it  equals  in  length. 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  10 


66  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

The   caudal  is  composed  of  stout  articulated  rays,  and  is  nearly  straight  at  its  ex- 
tremity. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  —  D.  9  to  10-12  to  13.     P.  12  to  13.     V.  6.     A.  10. 
C.  12|.     Length,  a  foot  to  18  inches. 

Remarks.  This  pretty  species,  which  is  much  more  common  than  the  P.  Carolinus, 
is  frequently  taken  in  the  Vineyard  Sound  while  fishing  for  Scapaug  (P.  argyrops),  but 
is  not  used  as  an  article  of  food. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.      Connecticut,    AYRES.      New  York,  MITCHILL,   CUVIER, 
DEKAY. 

PRIONOTUS  PALMIPES,  Storer. 
The  Web-fingered  Gurnard. 

(PLATE  V.   FIG.  1.) 

Trigla  Carolina,  LIN.,  p.  528,  Cuv.  et  VAL. 

Trigla  palmipes,  Web-fingered  Gurnard,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  431,  pi.  4,  fig.  5. 

Le  Prionote  dr.  la  Caroline,  Prionolus  Carolinus,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  iv.  p.  90. 

Prionotus  Carolinus,  Web-fingered  Grunter,  STORER,  Report,  p.  14. 

"          AYRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  258. 

"  Web-fingered  Gurnard,  DEKAY,  N.  Y.  Report,  p.  46,  pi.  5,  fig.  15. 

"  LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

"          STORER,  Mem.  of  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  303. 

"          STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  51. 

Color.  When  first  taken,  the  body  above  is  of  a  reddish-brown  color,  with  irregular 
blotches  and  shadings  of  a  darker  brown  appearing  like  indistinct  transverse  white 
bands  across  the  dorsum ;  beneath  nearly  white.  Branchial  membrane  fuliginous ; 
margined  anteriorly  and  posteriorly  with  white.  The  connecting  membrane  of  the 
first  dorsal  is  transparent,  slightly  dusky,  marked  by  oblique  white  lines,  and  has  a 
large  dark-brown  spot,  the  greater  portion  of  which  is  between  the  fourth  and  fifth 
rays ;  in  young  specimens  this  spot  is  confined  entirely  to  the  space  between  the  fourth 
and  fifth  spines.  The  second  dorsal  is  of  a  dull  white  color,  marked  by  interrupted 
longitudinal  orange  bands.  The  pectorals  are  reddish-brown  above,  slate-colored  be- 
neath, with  the  exception  of  the  two  posterior  rays,  which  are  white.  The  pectoral 
appendages  are  reddish-brown  at  their  base,  and  orange  at  extremities.  The  ventrals 
are  reddish-white  above,  white  beneath.  The  anal  is  of  the  same  general  color  as 
the  second  dorsal. 

Description.  Length  of  head  rather  less  than  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  entire 
fish ;  width  of  head  more  than  half  its  length.  The  armature  of  the  head  is  very 
similar  to  that  of  P.  lineatus,  and  yet  there  are  striking  differences ;  the  several  bones 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS.  67 

are  less  deeply  furrowed  and  ridged,  appearing  more  like  shagreen  ;  at  the  anterior 
angle  of  the  eye  are  three  distinct  spines.  The  occipital  spines  are  not  so  acute  as 
in  P.  lineatus,  but  are  the  terminations  of  carinae  in  two  arrow-shaped  plates  of 
bone ;  in  P.  lineatus,  there  is  a  small  spine  at  the  posterior  angle  of  the  eye ;  in  this 
species  are  two  elevated  ridges  which  run  posteriorly ;  these  ridges  are  not  prominent 
in  the  immature  fish.  Nostrils  of  moderate  size ;  the  anterior  the  larger.  Eyes  high 
up  on  the  head.  Sides  of  snout  strongly  serrated.  Jaws  armed  with  numerous  card- 
like  teeth ;  the  upper  jaw  the  longer.  The  lateral  line,  arising  between  the  occipital 
spine  and  the  posterior  superior  edge  of  the  operculum,  is  very  indistinct  throughout 
its  whole  course,  but  more  so  at  its  origin,  and  is  continued  in  a  straight  line  to  the 
middle  of  the  base  of  the  tail. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  is  situated  in  a  deep  groove.  The  whole  anterior  edge  of  the 
first  three  rays  is  serrated,  and  the  upper  portion  of  the  fourth. 

The  second  dorsal  is  nearly  straight  upon  its  margin. 

The  pectorals  are  large,  broad,  rounded,  and  about  one  third  the  length  of  the  body. 
Just  in  front  of  and  beneath  the  pectorals  are  three  fleshy  appendages,  widened  at 
extremities ;  the  posterior  the  largest.  The  anal  commences  just  back  of,  and  termi- 
nates upon  the  same  plane  with,  the  second  dorsal. 

The  caudal  is  lunated. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  9  or  10 -13.  P.  13  or  14>  V.  6.  A.  12.  C.  12f 
Length  15  to  18  inches. 

Remarks.  This  species  is  much  more  rare  than  the  P.  lineatus.  It  was  well  de- 
scribed by  Mitchill,  who  makes  no  mention  of  its  infrequency  in  the  waters  of  New 
York ;  but  Dekay  remarks,  that  in  the  course  of  twenty  years  he  had  not  met  with 
more  than  six  or  eight  specimens.  As  one  of  its  names  implies,  it  is  a  Southern  spe- 
cies. Individuals  are  not  unfrequently  taken  in  the  Vineyard  Sound,  during  the  entire 
summer,  while  fishing  for  Tautog.  It  is  caught  in  deeper  water  than  P.  lineatus. 
Dr.  Yale  informed  me  that  he  had  eaten  this  species,  which,  when  skinned  and  boiled, 
is  quite  palatable.  Occasionally  this  species  is  captured  north  of  Cape  Cod.  In 
September,  1840,  I  received  from  Captain  Nathaniel  Blanchard  of  Lynn  a  specimen 
twelve  inches  in  length,  taken  in  a  net  at  Green  Island  ;  and  Henry  Sheafe,  Esq.,  of 
this  city,  the  next  year  sent  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  two  specimens 
which  were  captured  at  Phillips's  Point,  Lynn.  I  have  also  seen  two  or  three  other 
individuals  in  the  market,  which  have  been  caught  in  Massachusetts  Bay.  The  speci- 
men here  described  is  the  largest  of  those  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  procure  while 
on  a  visit  at  Tisbury,  in  August,  1846.  Mr.  Ayres,  in  his  enumeration  of  the  Fishes 


68  HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

of  Brookhaven,  L.  I.,  contained  in  the  fourth  volume  of  the  "  Boston  Journal  of  Natural 
History,"  when  speaking  of  this  species,  says :  "  When  at  rest,  they  lie  on  the  bottom, 
with  their  broad  pectorals  sometimes  spread  and  sometimes  closed  ;  in  swimming, 
however,  the  pectorals  are  closed  and  flat  upon  the  body.  If  alarmed  by  the  approach 
of  a  boat  or  any  other  object,  they  bury  themselves  so  completely  in  the  sand,  that  a 
very  close  observation  is  necessary  to  detect  them.  This  concealment  is  effected  by 
a  rapid  lateral  movement  of  the  body,  which  displaces  the  sand  from  beneath,  and 
causes  it  to  fall  upon  their  sides  and  back,  covering  them  entirely,  except  the  eyes 
and  top  of  the  head.  Probably  they  often  resort  to  this  manoeuvre  when  approached 
by  the  large  fish  which  feed  upon  them." 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  AYRES.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER, 
DEKAY.  Carolina,  CUVIER. 

Although  this  species  was  supposed  by  Cuvier  to  be  the  Trigla  Carolina  of  Linnaeus, 
I  am  compelled  to  reject  his  specific  name,  as  his  description  is  altogether  too  indefinite 
to  identify  the  fish.  He  makes  no  mention  of  the  characteristic  palmation  of  the  pec- 
toral appendages. 

PRIONOTUS  PILATUS,  Storer. 
(PLATE  VI.  FIG.  1.) 

Prionotus  pilatus,  STORER,  Proceedings  of  Bost.  Soc.  of  Nat.  Hist.,  n.  p.  77, 1845. 
"  "         STORER,  Mem.  of  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  522. 

"  "         STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  270. 

Color.  Upper  part  of  body  a  reddish-brown  ;  head  a  lighter  red ;  body  beneath 
yellowish-white  ;  throat  color  of  pectorals ;  pectorals  dark  blue  ;  ventrals  color  of  ab- 
domen. First  dorsal  fuliginous,  crossed  by  two  transverse  white  lines,  one  near  its 
base,  and  the  other  through  its  centre  ;  the  upper  membranous  portion  between  the 
fourth  and  fifth  rays  is  marked  by  a  large  black  blotch.  The  second  dorsal  of  the  same 
color  as  the  first,  with  undulating  whitish  lines  crossing  the  connecting  membrane  from 
its  base  to  its  margin,  presenting  a  marbled  appearance.  Anal  fin  of  a  dirty  white  color. 
Caudal  fin  colored  like  the  pectorals,  but  rather  lighter. 

Description.  Body  oblong,  cylindrical.  Head  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  body ; 
depth  of  head  nearly  equal  to  two  thirds  its  length.  Width  of  snout  equal  to  nearly 
twice  the  distance  between  the  eyes.  Eyes  moderate,  oblong,  their  longest  diameter 
equal  to  one  sixth  the  length  of  the  head.  Nostrils  small,  nearer  to  the  tip  of  the 
snout  than  to  the  eyes.  Jaws,  palatines,  and  pharyngeals  armed  with  numerous  small, 
card-like  teeth.  Upper  jaw  the  longer. 


HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  69 

The  lateral  line  commences  just  beneath  the  occipital  spine,  and  pursues  nearly  a 
straight  course  to  the  caudal  fin. 

The  first  dorsal  arises  between  the  posterior  projections  of  the  occiput ;  the  first 
spinous  ray  is  serrated  throughout  its  entire  anterior  portion ;  the  second  is  serrated  only 
on  its  right  side  ;  the  third  only  on  its  left ;  the  remaining  rays  are  smooth ;  the  third 
and  fourth  rays  are  longest.  Fin  one  half  as  high  as  long. 

The  second  dorsal  rather  more  than  a  third  as  long  as  the  first  dorsal ;  its  rays  are 
bifid  and  slightly  projecting  at  their  extremities. 

The  pectorals  when  expanded  are  equal  in  their  depth  to  one  half  their  length. 

Anterior  to  and  beneath  the  pectorals  are  three  fleshy  appendages,  tapering  at  their 
extremities,  the  anterior  two  thirds  the  height  of  the  posterior. 

The  longest  rays  of  the  ventrals  are  nearly  two  thirds  as  long  as  the  pectorals  ;  the 
anterior  ray  is  short  and  spinous,  the  other  rays  are  multifid  at  their  extremities. 

The  anal  fin  commences  on  a  line  just  back  of  the  second  dorsal,  and  terminates 
opposite  the  extremity  of  that  fin. 

Caudal  fin  deeply  emarginated ;  the  outer  rays  projecting  beyond  the  others. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  10  -  13.     P.  13.     V.  6.     A.  12.     C.  12*. 

1  have  seen  but  one  specimen  of  this  species,  which  was  taken  in  Massachusetts  Bay. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER. 

In  the  "  Proceedings  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,"  Vol.  II.  p.  77,  1 
stated  that  the  Prionotus  punctatus  had  been  found  in  our  waters.  Thinking  it  possible 
I  may  have  been  mistaken,  and  that  the  specimen  belonging  to  the  Boston  Society 
of  Natural  History  was  not  taken  in  Massachusetts  Bay,  as  it  was  said  to  have  been, 
I  prefer  not  to  admit  it  in  this  communication. 

GENUS  II.     DACTYLOPTERUS,  LAC£P. 

The  rays  under  the  pectorals  are  numerous  and  large ;  and  instead  of  being  free, 
as  in  the  preceding  genera,  they  are  united  by  a  membrane  into  a  supernumerary  fin, 
larger  than  the  fish  itself,  and  which  supports  it  in  the  air  for  some  length  of  time. 
The  muzzle,  which  is  very  short,  appears  to  be  cleft  like  the  lips  of  a  hare  ;  the 
mouth  is  situated  beneath  ;  there  are,  in  the  jaws  only,  certain  rounded  teeth,  arranged 
like  pavement;  the  head  is  flat,  rectangular,  and  granulated  ;  the  preoperculum  is 
terminated  by  a  long  and  strong  spine.  All  the  scales  are  carinated. 


70  HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

DACTYLOPTERUS  VOLITANS,  Cuv. 
The  Sea-Swallow. 

(PLATE  VI.  FIG.  5.) 

Trigla  volitans,  Flying  Gurnard,  L.,  SHAW'S  Gen.  Zool.,  IT.  p.  622,  pi.  91. 

Morcielago,  PARRA,  p.  25,  pi.  14. 

Polynemus  sex-raduUus,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  pi.  4,  fig.  10. 

"  "  MITCHILL,  Supp.  Amer.  Month.  Mag.,  11.  p.  323  (?). 

Le  Dactylopt&re  commun,  Dactylopterus  volitans,  Cov.  et  VAL.,  iv.  p.  117. 
Dactylopterus  volitans,  GRIFFITH'S  CUT.,  x.  p.  138. 

RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  HI.  p.  40. 

WILSON,  Encycl.  Brit.,  art.  Ichthyology,  p.  173. 


w 
u 


Sea-Swallow,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  49,  pi.  17,  fig.  46. 
LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 
STORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  304. 
STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  52. 


Bat-fish,  SCHOMBURGK,  Hist,  of  Barbados,  p.  667. 

Color.  The  specimen  now  described  is  of  a  slate-color  above,  with  indistinct 
darker  blotches ;  top  of  head  darker  than  back ;  upper  jaw  yellowish-white,  with 
several  dark- brown  spots  beneath  the  eyes.  Abdomen  yellow.  Dorsal  fin  white, 
banded  with  brown  ;  pectorals  dull  brown,  irregularly  spotted  with  darker  blotches, 
lighter  beneath,  white  at  their  inferior  base  ;  caudal  yellowish,  transversely  banded 
with  black. 

My  specimen,  however,  having  been  preserved  in  spirits,  and  its  colors  consequently 
being  in  a  great  measure  destroyed,  I  shall  avail  myself  of  this  portion  of  Dr.  Dekay's 
description:  "Light  brown  above,  (darker  on  the  summit  of  head,)  with  irregular  darker 
spots.  Sides  silvery  with  flesh-color,  which  latter  is  predominant  beneath.  Dorsals  gray, 
with  brown  spots  on  the  membrane  of  the  first,  and  the  rays  of  the  second  annulated 
alternately  with  brown  and  lighter.  The  posterior  pectorals  blackish,  with  bluish 
iridescent  spots ;  the  anterior  dark  brown  varied  with  black.  Ventrals  and  anal  flesh- 
colored.  Caudal  light  brown,  with  irregular  brownish  bands." 

Description.  Body  cylindrical  anterior  to  vent ;  abdomen  flattened  posterior  to  vent ; 
sides  compressed  at  posterior  extremities.  Head  flattened  above.  Back  and  sides 
covered  with  rows  of  fixed  raised  scales ;  the  six  or  eight  rows  upon  the  sides  are  most 
elevated,  sharp  with  minutely  denticulated  edges,  and  their  summit  with  more  marked 
denticulations.  There  are  fifteen  rows  of  scales,  passing  longitudinally  on  the  sides, 
between  the  origin  of  the  second  dorsal  and  the  abdomen.  Posterior  to  the  second 
dorsal,  these  rows  are  less  marked  than  anterior  to  it ;  the  rows  back  of  the  head  and 
beneath  the  pectorals  are  much  more  numerous  than  posteriorly  ;  these  gradually  ap- 
proximate, and,  as  it  were  running  into  each  other,  are  for  the  most  part  lost,  so  that  at 
the  termination  of  the  second  dorsal  fin  there  remain  but  about  twelve  rows,  and  at 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  71 

the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail  but  four ;  two  of  these  elevated,  bounding  the  edge  of  the 
back  and  abdomen,  and  the  others,  much  less  raised,  between  them. 

The  length  of  the  head  to  the  termination  of  the  subscapular  spine  equal  to  more 
than  one  third  the  entire  length  of  the  fish.  Head  above  bonj,  very  broad,  granulated 
throughout,  deeply  emarginated  behind,  concave  between  the  eyes,  and  terminating 
posteriorly  on  each  side  in  very  pointed  subscapular  bones,  which  have  an  elevated 
ridge  passing  through  their  centres.  Suborbitar  bones  emarginated  posteriorly ;  their 
posterior  superior  angle  passing  upward  and  backward  to  the  centre  of  the  orbit  of 
the  eye  ;  their  posterior  inferior  angle  is  continued  backward  in  a  sharp  point  to  the 
preoperculum  ;  the  inferior  edge  of  this  inferior  portion  is  slightly  denticulated,  the 
teeth  looking  forward. 

A  branch  of  the  preoperculum  marked  with  vertical  striae  passes  upward  above 
the  termination  of  the  posterior  superior  angle  of  the  suborbitar  bone ;  its  posterior 
angle  terminates  in  a  long  spine,  which  passes  backward  to  the  posterior  half  of 
the  subscapular  bone ;  this  spine  is  strongly  serrated  upon  its  outer  edge,  denticulated 
upon  its  lower  edge,  and  granulated  along  its  base.  The  operculum  small,  triangular, 
scaled.  The  eyes  are  large  and  circular.  The  nostrils  are  double,  and  of  nearly 
equal  size ;  the  anterior  and  inferior  is  tubular.  The  mouth  is  small  ;  the  lips  are  fleshy. 
The  lower  jaw  is  the  shorter.  Both  jaws  armed  with  several  rows  of  small  conical 
teeth  ;  minute  teeth  exist  also  in  the  pharynx.  Snout  blunted. 

Just  anterior  to  the  spinous  rays  of  the  first  dorsal,  and  higher  tnan  they,  are  two 
membranous  rays  opposite  to  each  other  and  connected  at  their  bases. 

The  first  dorsal  is  of  a  triangular  form,  the  posterior  rays  being  higher  than  the  first. 
This  fin,  when  closed,  is  received  into  a  groove. 

Between  the  first  and  second  dorsal  fins  is  a  short,  stout,  triangular  spine.  Directly 
back  of  this  spine  arises  the  second  dorsal,  which  is  quadrangular,  and  has  its  rays 
connected  together  by  an  exceedingly  delicate  membrane.  Its  six  anterior  rays  are 
simple. 

The  pectorals  are  very  broad  when  expanded ;  and  reach,  when  closed,  the  fleshy 
portion  of  the  caudal  fin.  The  shortest  rays  are  the  six  which  are  separated  at  the 
anterior  portion  from  the  fin,  save  at  the  base,  where  they  are  connected  to  it  by  a 
membrane.  The  central  rays  of  this  fin  are  the  longest. 

The  ventrals  are  beneath  the  pectorals ;  their  height  is  about  equal  to  that  of  the 
first  six  rays  of  the  pectorals  ;  the  third  and  fourth  rays  are  the  longest. 

The  anal  is  situated  beneath  the  second  dorsal. 

The  caudal  is  deeply  concave ;  with  two  elevated  scales,  looking  like  finlets,  ap- 
proximating each  other  at  its  base. 


72  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :— D.  2-4- 1  -  8.  P.  30-6.  V.  1-4.  A.  6. 
C.  lOi.  Length  about  6  inches. 

Remarks.  The  accompanying  description  and  figure  are  prepared  from  a  specimen 
sent  me  by  Dr.  Yale  from  Holmes's  Hole  ;  it  is  the  only  individual  I  have  seen. 

This  species  was  very  well  described  by  Dr.  Mitchill  in  his  supplement  to  his  fishes 
in  "  The  American  Monthly  Magazine  and  Critical  Review,"  and  still  better  by  Dekay 
in  his  New  York  Report. 

Newfoundland,  CUVIER.  Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  LINSLEY.  New 
York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY.  Gulf  of  Mexico,  PARRA.  Caribbean  Sea,  CUVIER,  SCHOMBURGK. 

GENUS  III.     COTTUS,*  AETEDI. 

Inhabiting  only  fresh  water.  But  one  small  spine  at  the  angle  of  preoperculum  ; 
sometimes  another  still  smaller,  always  hidden  under  the  skin  and  perceptible  to  the 
touch  only,  at  the  lower  margin  of  the  suboperculum.  Head  very  depressed,  more 
or  less  truncated  in  front,  generally  broader  than  high,  but  always  very  uniform,  being 
scarcely  detached  from  the  body  unless  by  its  more  considerable  breadth.  Second 
dorsal  always  higher  than  first.  Ventrals  with  three  or  four  soft  rays.  Lateral  line 
usually  interrupted. 

COTTUS  GRACILIS,  Heckel. 
The  River  Bull-head. 

(PLATE  IV.   FIG.  3.) 

Uranidea  quiescms,  Little  Star-gazer,  DEKAY'S  Report,  p.  61,  pi.  v.  fig.  914. 
Coitus  gobio,  AYRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  v.  p.  121,  pi.  xi. 

"          "       STOKER,  Synopsis,  p.  52. 
Cottus  gracilis,  HECK.,  GIRARD,  Proceedings  of  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  in.  p.  189. 

Color.  Light  green  mottled  with  irregular  dark-brown  blotches,  which  are  larger 
on  the  posterior  part  of  the  body. 

Description.  Length  of  the  head  about  one  fifth  that  of  the  body ;  much  broader 
than  the  body ;  flattened  above  back  of  the  eyes.  Preoperculum  armed  at  its  posterior 
superior  angle  with  a  sharp  spine  curving  upwards,  and  below  this  upon  its  edge 

*  The  genus  Cottus  has  heretofore  been  composed  of  two  separate  groups,  consisting  of  fluviatile  and 
marine  species.  Mr.  Girard,  after  having  devoted  much  attention  to  the  subject,  has  formed  from  these  two 
distinct  genera,  and  gives  as  his  reason  for  not  accepting  Dekay's  Uranidea,  that,  according  to  the  principles 
of  nomenclature,  Cottus  must  be  retained  for  the  fresh-water  group,  having  been  at  first  applied  to  them.  It 
remains,  however,  to  be  seen  whether  these  changes  will  be  accepted  by  succeeding  ichthyologists. 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  73 

with  another  very  minute  spine.  Eyes  prominent,  obliquely  oblong.  Jaws  equal, 
with  numerous  exceedingly  minute  teeth.  Gape  of  mouth  moderate. 

Lateral  line  commences  at  the  superior  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and  is 
continued  in  a  straight  line  to  just  below  the  extremity  of  the  second  dorsal  fin,  where 
it  curves,  and  ends  at  the  centre  of  the  caudal  rays. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  arises  just  back  of  the  origin  of  the  pectorals  ;  its  length  is 
equal  to  about  one  third  that  of  the  second  dorsal. 

The  second  dorsal,  which  arises  directly  back  of  the  first,  is  of  equal  height  through- 
out, a  little  higher  than  the  first  dorsal,  and  is  of  a  quadrangular  form. 

The  pectorals  are  broad,  higher  than  the  length  of  the  head. 

The  ventrals  are  composed  of  three  rays  of  nearly  equal  length,  and  united  at 
their  base. 

The  anal  fin  commences  back  of  the  second  dorsal,  and  terminates  anterior  to 
the  termination  of  that  fin. 

The  caudal  fin  is  about  the  length  of  the  head,  and  is  straight  at  its  extremity. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  — D.  8-7.  P.  14.  V.  3.  A.  12.  C.  12.  Length 
of  fish  2^  inches. 

Remarks.  The  individual  from  which  my  description  has  been  drawn  up  was  sent 
me  from  Shirley,  by  Dr.  C.  D.  Dowse. 

Mr.  Horatio  R.  Storer  caught  two  specimens  near  the  source  of  the  Saco  River,  in 
the  town  of  Bartlett,  New  Hampshire,  among  the  White  Mountains,  where  the  water 
was  about  three  inches  deep.  When  first  seen  they  were  lying  under  little  stones, 
with  the  head  and  expanded  pectoral  fins  alone  visible,  and  so  motionless  that  he  would 
have  overlooked  them,  had  he  not  been  carefully  examining  the  Bottom  in  search  of 
salamanders.  When  disturbed,  they  immediately  darted  under  the  stones,  and  were 
only  secured  by  cautiously  placing  the  hand  before  them  so  that  they  could  not 
escape,  on  which  they  would  dart  directly  into  it.  On  account  of  their  viscid  secretion, 
they  are  retained  by  the  hand  with  difficulty. 

Massachusetts,  STORER.  New  York,  DEKAY.  Connecticut,  AYRES.  New  Hamp- 
shire, H.  R.  STORER. 

GENUS  IV.  ACANTHOCOTTUS,  GIHAED. 

Always  marine.  Spines  upon  each  of  the  opercular  bones.  Surface  of  head  and 
often  circumference  of  orbits  either  armed  with  spines,  serrated,  or  notched.  Mouth 
more  deeply  cleft  than  in  Cottus.  Lateral  line  uninterrupted. 

VOL.    V.    NEW   SERIES.  11 


74  HISTORY   OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

ACANTHOCOTTUS  VARiABiLis,  Girard. 

The  Greenland  Sculpin. 

(PLATE  IV.  FIG  1.) 

Cotlus  sccrpius,  FABRicins,  Fauna  Groenlandica,  p.  156,  No.  113. 

Le  Chaboisseau  du  Greenland,  (Coitus  Groenlandicus,)  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  iv.  p.  185. 

Cuttus  Groenlandicus,  Greenland  Bull-head,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  HI.  pp.  46  and  297,  and  admirably  figured,  pi.  95. 

"  "  Greenland  Sculpin,  STOKER'S  Report,  p.  16. 

"  "  Greenland  Bull-head,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  54,  pi.  4,  fig.  2. 

"  "  STORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  305. 

"  "  STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  53. 

Coitus  quadricornis,  SABINE,  App.  to  PARRY'S  First  Voyage. 
Cottus  variabilis,  AYRES,  Proc.  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  I.  1842,  p.  69. 
«  "        AYRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  1843,  p.  259. 

Jlcanthocottus  Groenlandicus,  GIRARD,  Proc.  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  in.  p.  185. 
Jlcanthocottus  variabilis,  GIRARD,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  vi.  p.  248. 

Color.  Upper  part  of  the  body  dark  brown,  with  large  clay-colored  blotches  on 
the  top  of  the  head  and  upon  the  gill-covers,  with  a  few  smaller  ones  on  the  back  and 
sides,  and  small  circular  yellow  spots  on  the  sides  towards  the  abdomen.  Large  perfectly 
white  ocelli  upon  the  abdomen,  beneath  the  pectorals.  Abdomen  yellow  tinged  with 
red,  throat  of  a  dull  white  color.  The  first  dorsal  fin  of  a  dark-brown  color,  variegated 
with  yellow;  the  second  dorsal  is  brown,  with  several  transverse  yellowish  bands;  the 
pectorals  are  marked  with  irregular  transverse  brown  bands  and  yellow  spots ;  the  rays 
of  this  fin  are  orange-colored  ;  the  ventrals  are  white,  with  three  transverse,  dark-brown 
bars ;  the  anal  is  marked  like  the  second  dorsal ;  the  rays  of  the  caudal  are  black, 
while  their  connecting  membrane  is  yellowish. 

Description.     Body  oblong  ;  very  stout  anteriorly  ;  tapering  towards  the  tail. 

The  sides,  both  above  and  beneath  the  lateral  line,  are  roughened  by  granulated 
tubercles  which  feel  like  spines  when  the  finger  is  drawn  towards  the  head. 

The  length  of  the  head,  measured  to  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  occiput,  is  equal 
to  about  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  body ;  its  width  across  the  occiput  equal  to  its 
length ;  its  greatest  depth  equal  to  two  thirds  its  length.  The  head  is  armed  with  several 
spines  ;  those  upon  its  top  are  blunted,  those  oil  the  gill-covers  are  longer,  with  projecting, 
sharp  points.  The  nasal  spines  are  sharp  and  recurved ;  at  the  posterior  superior  angle  of 
the  eye  is  a  strong,  slightly  recurved,  short  spine,  stouter  than  the  nasal  spine.  Upon  the 
occiput  are  also  situated  two  strong,  blunt,  and  somewhat  recurved  spines  ;  between  these 
and  the  former  is  a  quadrangular  depression.  The  preoperculum  has  three  spines,  naked 
at  their  extremities,  two  of  which  are  situated  at  its  superior  angle ;  the  upper  of  these 
spines  is  much  the  largest,  and  points  upwards ;  the  second  is  smaller  and  nearly  straight ; 
the  third  and  smallest,  at  its  inferior  angle,  points  directly  downwards.  The  operculum 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 


75 


is  armed  with  two  spines  ;  the  larger  at  its  superior  angle  ;  the  second,  much  the  smaller, 
at  its  inferior  angle. 

Eyes  circular,  their  diameter  equal  to  one  sixth  the  length  of  the  head.  The  gape 
of  the  mouth  very  large  ;  the  distance  between  the  tips  of  the  jaws,  when  distended,  is 
equal  to  one  third  the  length  of  the  head  ;  the  upper  jaw  the  longer ;  both  jaws  are 
armed  with  numerous,  very  small,  card-like  teeth  ;  similar  teeth  on  the  vomer  and 
pharyngeals.  Nostrils  tubular,  just  in  front  of  the  eyes. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  commences  on  a  line  above  the  pectorals  ;  it  is  rounded  above, 
about  as  long  again  as  high. 

The  second  dorsal  commences  at  the  termination  of  the  first ;  appearing  almost  to 
be  united  with  it. 

The  pectorals  are  very  broad  when  expanded ;  their  length  at  base  is  less  than  the 
height  of  the  first  rays  ;  roughened  granulations  may  be  perceived  beneath  several  of 
the  rays  of  these  fins  ;  the  inferior  rays  are  much  the  shorter  and  stouter. 

The  outer  ray  of  the  ventrals  is  very  stout. 

The  anal  commences  just  posterior  to  the  second  dorsal,  and  is  shorter  than  that  fin. 

The  caudal  stout,  with  the  rays  bifurcated  at  their  posterior  extremities. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  — D.  9  or  10-16  or  18.  P.  17.  V.  3.  A.  13. 
C.  12|.  Length  about  a  foot. 

Remarks.  In  a  monograph  of  the  Genus  Cottus,  which  he  published  in  the  "  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,"  Vol.  III.,  Mr.  Charles  Girard  con- 
sidered the  Cottus  variabilis  of  Ayres  as  the  young  of  the  Groenlandicus.  At  a  subse- 
quent period,  having  received  from  Mr.  Horatio  R.  Storer  a  species  of  Cottus  from 
Labrador,  he  was  enabled  to  decide  that  it  was  not  the  same  as  the  species  on  our  coast 
which  is  known  as  the  Groenlandicus,  and  consequently  has  retained  Ayres's  specific 
name  for  the  Massachusetts  fish.  So  that  what  has  been  known  by  us  as  the  Groen- 
landicus is  now  to  be  called  variabilis,  and  the  fish  so  called  by  Ayres  is  the  young. 

This  beautiful  fish  is  much  less  common  than  the  Virginianus.  Though  the  other 
species  is  said  to  be  a  favorite  food  of  the  Greenlanders,  this  is  not  used  with  us.  It 
is  frequently  seen  swimming  upon  the  sandy  bottoms  of  the  numerous  small  coves  of 
Massachusetts  Bay,  and  is  taken  with  the  hook  while  fishing  from  the  rocks  for  the 
Conner.  Specimens  of  the  young  of  this  species  were  presented  to  me  by  Mr.  Desor, 
who  procured  them  at  the  South  Shoals,  fifteen  miles  from  Nantucket,  with  the 
dredge,  in  eleven  and  a  half,  fifteen,  and  eighteen  fathoms  of  water  respectively,  from  a 
bottom  abounding  with  barnacles  and  membranipora.  It  is  exceedingly  voracious,  de- 
vouring all  kinds  of  Crustacea,  Mollusks,  and  Echini.  In  the  stomach  of  one  I  found 


76  HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

three   entire  specimens  of  the  Portunus  pictus  of  considerable  size ;    in  others  I  have 
seen  large  quantities  of  the  Echinus  granulatus,  and  several  species  of  Algae. 
Maine,  Massachusetts,  STOKER.     Connecticut,  AYRES.     New  York,  DEKAY. 

ACANTHOCOTTUS  ViRGiNiANUs,  Girard. 

The  Common  Sculpin. 

(PLATE  IV.   FIG.  2.) 

Scorpius  Virginianus,  WILLOUGHBY,  Hist.  Pise.,  App.,  p.  25,  pi.  10,  fig.  15  (?). 

Callus  octodecimspinosus,  Eighteen-spined  Cottus,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  380. 

Le  grand  Chaboisseau  it  dix-huit  ipines  de  VAmMqite  du  Jford,  Cottus  octodecimspinosus,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  iv.  p.  181. 

Cottus  octodecimspinosus,  Sculpin,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  in.  p.  46. 

«  "  GRIFFITH'S  Cpv.,  x.  pi.  43,  fig.  4. 

Coitus  Virginianus,  Common  Sculpin,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  18. 

"  "  Common  Bull-head,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  5),  pi.  5,  fig.  13. 

"  "  LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

'•  "  STORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  305. 

'«  "  STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  53. 

Acanthocotlus  Virginianus,  GIRARD,  Proe.  Host.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  in.  p.  187. 
"  "  H.  R.  STORER,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  TI.  p.  250. 

Color.  While  alive,  some  individuals  of  this  species  are  of  a  greenish-yellow  color, 
with  four  transverse  dark-brown  bars,  which  extend  from  the  dorsum  to  the  lower 
part  of  the  sides  ;  the  anterior  of  these  is  nearly  as  wide  at  its  base  as  the  first 
dorsal  fin  at  which  it  commences ;  the  second  is  situated  at  the  anterior  half  of  the 
second  dorsal ;  the  third,  which  is  narrower  than  the  second,  is  at  the  posterior  half 
of  the  second  dorsal ;  the  fourth  band  crosses  the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail.  In  others 
the  general  color  is  of  a  greenish-brown,  the  bands  are  very  indistinct  and  appear 
rather  like  large  blotches.  Abdomen  white.  The  first  dorsal  is  fuliginous,  and  crossed 
by  distinct  dark- brown  bands.  The  second  dorsal  is  crossed  by  three  longitudinal 
bands  of  dark  brown.  The  pectorals  are  of  a  light-yellow  color  ;  broad  when  expanded  ; 
the  inferior  rays  are  flesh-colored ;  these  fins  are  crossed  by  six  dark-brown  concentric 
bands  of  different  widths.  The  ventrals  are  yellowish-white  ;  the  intermediate  mem- 
brane clouded  by  indistinct  bands  of  dark  brown.  The  anal  is  yellowish,  crossed  by 
indistinct  dark  bands.  The  caudal  is  yellowish-white,  with  five  very  distinct  bands. 
Pupils  bluish  ;  irides  reddish,  with  a  coppery  hue  when  alive. 

Description.  Length  of  head  equal  to  one  third  the  length  of  body ;  its  greatest 
width  equal  to  two  thirds  its  length.  Twenty  spines  are  seen  upon  and  about  the  head, 
ten  on  each  side  ;  all  these  are  naked  at  their  extremities.  The  nasal  spines  are  small 
and  recurved ;  the  post-orbitar  spines  are  a  little  longer  than  the  nasals ;  they  are 
barely  elevated  above  the  top  of  the  head,  and  point  directly  backwards ;  the  occipital 
spines  are  erect  and  slightly  recurved  ;  they  are  rather  stouter  than  the  post-orbitars  ; 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  77 

three  spines  are  situated  upon  the  preoperculum  ;  that  at  the  posterior  angle  is  the 
largest  of  any  upon  the  head ;  it  is  very  stout,  is  naked  throughout  its  greatest  extent, 
and  is  partially  covered  by  a  loose  membrane  as  a  mere  sheath,  which  is  readily  recurved 
to  its  very  base ;  this  spine  extends  backwards  nearly  to,  and  in  some  specimens  as  far 
as,  and  I  have  seen  it  continued  even  beyond,  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  opercular 
spine.  Directly  under  the  base  of  this  spine  is  situated  a  second  very  small  one,  pointing 
obliquely  backwards  and  downwards ;  at  the  inferior  angle  of  the  preopercle  is  a  third 
spine,  pointing  downwards  and  forwards.  Two  spines  are  seen  upon  the  operculum ; 
the  larger  passes  from  its  upper  anterior  portion  to  the  posterior  angle,  pointing  obliquely 
backwards;  the  other,  which  is  quite  small,  is  at  the  inferior  angle,  and  points  directly 
downwards.  Just  above  the  origin  of  the  pectorals  is  a  strong  scapular  spine,  directed 
upwards  and  backwards.  And  above  the  commencement  of  the  posterior  fleshy  mem- 
brane of  the  operculum  is  seen  the  humeral  spine,  which  is  but  little  longer  than  the 
occipital  spines. 

The  head  is  flattened  above  and  furrowed  by  ridges  which  are  the  continuations 
of  the  spines ;  a  slight  ridge  passes  from  the  nasal  spines  backwards  to  the  eyes ; 
another  extends  from  the  post-orbitar  to  the  occipital  spines,  and  exterior  to  this  is 
another  ridge ;  the  whole  upper  portion  of  the  head  is  dotted  with  minute  granulations. 
The  gape  of  the  mouth  is  large ;  the  jaws,  pharynx,  and  palatine-bones  are  armed  with 
numerous  sharp,  compact  teeth,  like  those  of  a  card  ;  the  upper  jaw  is  the  larger.  The 
eyes  are  very  large  and  prominent.  The  nostrils  are  small  ;  the  posterior  is  just  back 
of  the  nasal  spine  ;  the  anterior  is  tubular,  and  on  a  line  with  the  base  of  the  nasal 
spine  exterior  to  it.  The  lateral  line  is  very  prominent,  resembling  an  interrupted  series 
of  tubercles.  It  commences  at  the  scapular  spine,  and  is  continued  to  the  caudal  rays, 
being  much  less  marked  at  its  posterior  extremity. 

The  first  dorsal  fin,  which  is  composed  of  nine  spinous  rays,  is  longer  than  high. 
The  third  ray  is  the  longest ;  the  first  ray  is  about  half  the  height  of  the  second  ;  the 
extremities  of  the  first  six  rays  project  beyond  the  connecting  membrane.  Dr.  Dekay, 
in  speaking  of  this  fin,  says,  "  the  second  ray  longest."  He  omits  mentioning  the  first 
very  short  ray ;  and  it  does  not  appear  in  his  figure. 

The  second  dorsal  arises  just  back  of  the  first,  at  the  termination  of  a  membrane 
extending  from  the  first  dorsal.  It  is  nearly  as  long  again  as  the  first  dorsal ;  its  rays 
are  articulated. 

The  pectorals  are  large  and  rounded. 

The  ventrals  arise  beneath  the  lower  rays  of  the  pectorals ;  simple.  Rays  free  at 
extremities  ;  first  ray  quite  strong. 

The  anal  commences  back  of  the  second  dorsal,  and  is  shorter  than  that  fin. 


78  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  caudal  is  even  at  extremity. 

In  some  specimens  the  membrane  connecting  the  rays  of  the  second  dorsal,  anal, 
and  caudal  fins  extends  to  their  extremities,  causing  the  fins  to  appear  even  at  their 
edges ;  while  in  others  the  extremities  of  the  rays  project  like  those  of  the  pectorals 
and  ventrals. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  9  -  16.  P.  17.  V.  3.  A.  14.  C.  12.  Length 
10  to  18  inches. 

Remarks.  This  is  our  most  common  species  of  Cottus.  As  the  "  Sculpin "  or 
"  Toad-fish  "  it  is  well  known,  and  is  the  pest  of  the  numerous  boys  and  idlers  who 
at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  are  constantly  fishing  from  the  wharves  and  bridges  for 
more  marketable  species. 

Mitchill  described  this  species  in  his  "Fishes  of  New  York,"  under  the  name  of 
octodecimspinosus ;  but  as  it  has  the  same  number  of  spines  as  the  Cottus  scorpius, 
its  specific  name  alone  cannot  distinguish  it ;  and  as  it  was  previously  called  by  Wil- 
loughby  Virginianus,  from  a  specimen  sent  him  by  Lister  from  Virginia,  I  have  no 
hesitation  in  prefixing  his  specific  name  to  my  description. 

Newfoundland,  RICHARDSON.  Massachusetts,  STORER.  New  York,  MITCHILL, 
DEKAY.  Virginia,  WILLOUGHBY.  Labrador,  H.  R.  STORER.  New  Brunswick  and 
Nova  Scotia,  PERLEY. 

The  Acanthocottus  teneus  I  now  omit,  thinking  I  have  previously  mistaken  for  it  a 
variety  of  A.  variabilis  of  Girard. 

GENUS  V.   BOLEOSOMA,  DEKAY. 

The  form  of  the  body  is  that  of  a  dart ;  the  head  is  very  short,  rounded  like  an 
arc  of  a  circle,  below  which  the  mouth,  generally  small  and  slightly  protractile,  opens 
horizontally ;  the  upper  jaw  sloping  over  the  lower.  The  neck  and  the  sides  of  the 
skull  compressed.  The  opercular  apparatus  and  the  cheeks  covered  with  scales. 

BOLEOSOMA  OLMSTEDI,  Agassiz. 

The  Tessellated  Darter. 

(PLATE  IV.  FIG.  4.) 

Etheostoma  Olmstedi,  STOKER,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  IT.  p.  61,  pi.  5,  fig.  2. 

"  "        A  YKKS,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  IT.  p.  257. 

Percina  minima,  HALD.,  Journ.  Acad.  Nat.  Scien.,  Tin.  p.  330. 
Boleosoma  tessellation,  Tessellated  Darter,  DEKAY,  N.  Y.  Report,  p.  20,  pi.  20,  fig.  57. 
Perca  minima,  DEKAT,  N.  Y.  Report,  p.  7. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS.  79 

Etheostoma  Olmstedi,  Ground-fish,  LIHSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

"  "  STOKER,  Mem.  of  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  11.  p.  271 

"  "          STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  19. 

Boleosoma  Olmstedi,  AOASSIZ,  Lake  Superior,  p.  304. 

Color.  Yellowish-green,  with  blackish  blotches  upon  the  sides  like  interrupted 
bands.  A  large  dark-brown  blotch  is  seen  upon  the  occiput,  and  back  of  this,  upon 
the  dorsum,  six  broad  similarly  colored  transverse  bands  ;  the  first,  just  over  the  pec- 
torals ;  the  second,  at  the  anterior  portion  of  the  first  dorsal ;  the  third,  between  the 
first  and  second  dorsal ;  the  fourth,  at  the  middle  of  the  second  dorsal ;  the  fifth,  at 
the  termination  of  the  second  dorsal ;  and  the  sixth,  at  the  base  of  the  tail.  These 
bands  all  usually  disappear  at  death.  Pupils  black,  irides  golden.  A  narrow  deep-black 
band  runs  from  the  tip  of  the  upper  jaw  to  the  anterior  superior  angle  of  the  eye,  and 
a  second  band  passes  upwards  from  the  lower  anterior  angle  of  the  preoperculum  to  the 
middle  of  the  lower  edge  of  the  eye,  and  thence  to  the  upper  edge  of  the  orbit,  inter- 
rupted by  the  globe  of  the  eye.  The  preoperculum  is  golden.  The  first  dorsal  is 
almost  colorless ;  the  rays  of  the  second  dorsal,  as  well  as  those  of  the  pectorals,  ventrals, 
and  caudal,  are  elegantly  crossed  transversely  by  reddish  lines. 

Description.  Form  cylindrical.  The  head  is  less  than  one  sixth  the  length  of  the 
body ;  it  is  flattened  above,  between,  and  back  of  the  eyes.  The  operculum  is  scaly 
above,  and  terminates  posteriorly  in  a  sharp  spine.  Jaws  furnished  with  very  minute 
teeth.  The  orbits  of  the  eyes  are  very  prominent. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  commences  some  distance  back  of  the  opercular  spine ;  it  is 
rounded  posteriorly. 

The  second  dorsal,  of  a  quadrangular  form,  commences  just  posterior  to  the  first ; 
the  extremities  of  its  rays  bifurcated. 

The  pectorals  are  situated  just  back  of  the  posterior  portion  of  the  opercula.  Their 
length  is  equal  to  one  fifth  their  height. 

The  ventrals  are  situated  just  back  of  the  base  of  the  pectorals. 

The  anal  arises  just  posterior  to  the  commencement  of  the  second  dorsal ;  it  is 
rounded  at  its  extremity. 

The  caudal  is  slightly  emarginated. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  9  -  13.  P.  15.  V.  6.  A.  11.  C.  15.  Length 
three  inches. 

Remarks.  This  species  is  not  uncommon  in  the  small  streams  of  the  western 
portion  of  the  State. 

Massachusetts,  STORER.  Connecticut,  OLMSTED,  AYRES.  New  York,  DEKAT. 
Pennsylvania,  HALDEMAN. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

GENUS  VI.  ASPIDOPHORUS,  LACEP. 

Body  octagonal,  covered  with  scaly  plates ;  head  thicker  than  the  body,  with  points 
and  depressions  above,  flattened  below  ;  teeth  in  both  jaws  only,  none  on  the  vomer ; 
snout  with  recurved  spines ;  branchiostegous  rays,  six ;  body  tapering  to  the  tail ;  one 
or  two  dorsal  fins  distinct. 

ASPIDOPHORUS  MONOPTERYGIUS,  Cuv. 
The  Aspidophore. 
(PLATE  VIII.   FIG.  1.) 

Cotlus  monopterygius,  BLOCK,  178. 

"  "  Single-firmed  Butt-head,  SHAW,  Gen.  Zool.,  iv.  p.  265. 

L'Jlspidopltore  &  une  settle  dorsale,  Jigonus  monopterygius,  BL.,  SCHN. 
Aspidophoroide  Tranquebar,  LACEP.,  Cov.  et  VAL.,  iv.  p.  224  ;  vi.  p.  554. 

Cotttis  (Aspidophorus)  monopterygius,  CUT.,  Aspidophore  with  one  dorsal,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  in.  p.  50. 
Jlspidophoroides  monopterygius,  Bull-head,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  22,  pi.  1,  fig.  1. 

"  «  Cuv.,  Regne  Animal,  ed.  VAL.,  pi.  21,  fig.  3. 

Jlspidophorta  monopterygius,  American  Aspidophore,  1  IKKAV,  Report,  p.  62,  pi.  2,  fig.  6. 

"  "  STOKER,  Mem.  Araer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  11.  p.  309. 

"  "  STOKER,  Synopsis,  p.  57. 

Color.  Above,  a  light  brown,  with  six  indistinct  transverse  black  bands  extending 
from  the  head  to  the  tail ;  those  upon  the  anterior  portion  of  the  body  the  broader. 
Beneath  lighter. 

Description.  Body  elongated,  gradually  tapering  to  the  tail ;  divided  longitudinally 
by  eight  rows  of  scaly  plates.  Those  which  are  situated  just  back  of  the  head  are 
much  the  largest.  Above,  from  just  back  of  the  eyes  to  the  dorsal  fin,  are  two  rows 
of  these  plates  ;  two  rows  on  each  side  for  some  distance,  and  two  rows  beneath ; 
making  the  fish  anterior  to  the  dorsal  fin  octagonal,  and  posterior  to  that  fin, 
hexagonal.  The  angles  of  the  large  scales  upon  the  back  form  prominent  ridges,  and 
between  them  is  thus  formed  a  groove,  which  extends  from  the  snout  between  the  orbits 
of  the  eyes  to  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  dorsal  fin.  Back  of  this  fin  is  seen  a 
dorsal  ridge,  instead  of  the  furrow,  which  is  continued  to  the  tail. 

The  length  of  the  head  is  equal  to  about  one  seventh  the  entire  length  of  the  body ; 
width  of  head  less  than  that  of  body.  The  whole  head  is  bony ;  the  eyes  are  very 
large  ;  the  orbitar  bones  prominent.  The  snout  has  two  recurved  spines  at  its  ex- 
tremity, and  a  third  and  smaller  one  back  of  them,  curving  forwards.  Mouth  small ; 
numerous  minute  teeth  are  observed  in  both  jaws. 

The  dorsal  fin  is  situated  upon  the  posterior  half  of  the  body,  at  the  extreme 
portion  of  the  dorsal  furrow. 


HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  81 

In  this  specimen,  as  well  also  as  in  those  I  previously  examined,  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  make  out  the  number  of  fin  rays ;  but  the  following,  if  not  perfectly 
accurate,  is  a  near  approximation:  —  D.  5.  P.  10.  V.  4.  A.  4.  C.  16.  Length 
5  inches. 

Remarks.  This  species  was  first  described  by  Bloch  as  the  Coitus  monopterygius, 
and  afterwards  more  minutely  by  Cuvier  as  the  Aspidophorus  monopterygius,  in  the 
fourth  volume  of  the  "  Histoire  Naturelle  des  Poissons."  Lacepede  formed  the  genus 
Aspidophoroides  to  receive  the  species  above  described,  it  being  the  only  known 
Aspidophorus  with  a  single  dorsal  fin.  At  the  time  this  genus  was  formed,  the  species 
of  which  we  have  been  speaking  was  supposed  to  have  been  brought  from  the  East 
Indies.  Cuvier,  however,  in  his  description,  says  he  has  not  received  it  from  the  East 
Indies  in  any  of  his  numerous  collections  from  that  quarter  of  the  world  ;  and  finally, 
Richardson,  in  his  "  Fauna  Boreali  Americana,"  observed,  "  that  it  has  lately  been  dis- 
covered to  be  an  inhabitant  of  the  Greenland  seas,  so  that  this  sub-genus  belongs 
entirely  to  the  Northern  hemisphere,  and  chiefly  to  the  higher  latitudes."  Early  in 
May,  1838,  Mr.  Jonathan  Johnston,  Jr.,  sent  me  three  specimens  of  this  species,  which 
he  had  taken  from  the  stomachs  of  haddock  just  caught  within  two  miles  of  Nahant. 
They  were  each  more  or  less  mutilated ;  from  one  of  them,  however,  my  friend  Jeffries 
Wyman,  M.  D.,  was  enabled  to  sketch  the  plate  contained  in  my  "  Report  oe  the 
Icththyology  of  Massachusetts."  In  1848,  Captain  Nathaniel  E.  Atwood  sent  me  a 
specimen  taken  from  a  cod's  mouth  at  Provincetown.  This  specimen,  although 
somewhat  injured  when  received,  has  furnished  me  with  the  accompanying  figures, 
and  given  me  an  opportunity  to  revise  my  former  description.  Besides  the  specimens 
above  referred  to,  Mr.  William  O.  Ayres  procured  two  others,  in  February,  1851,  from 
the  stomach  of  a  halibut  taken  at  Cape  Cod  ;  and  Mr.  Stimpson  one  in  May,  from 
the  stomach  of  a  haddock  caught  in  Boston  Bay.  These  are  the  only  individuals  I 
have  ever  known  to  be  taken  south  of  Greenland. 

Massachusetts,  STOEER.     Greenland,  RICHARDSON. 

GENUS  VII.  CRYPTACANTHODES,  Noms. 

Body  elongated,  very  much  compressed,  and  gradually  tapering  to  the  tail.  Des- 
titute of  scales.  Head  broad,  with  no  projecting  spines ;  the  scapular  and  humeral 
spines,  and  the  inferior  edge  of  the  preoperculum,  prominent  to  the  touch.  Numerous 
depressions  in  frontal,  suborbitar,  inferior  maxillary,  and  preopercular  bones  ;  branchi- 
ostegous  rays,  seven  ;  mouth  oblique  ;  a  single  dorsal  fin,  composed  of  strong  spinous 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  12 


82  HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

rays  enveloped  by  a  common  membrane,  runs  nearly  the  entire  length  of  the  fish,  and 
unites,  as  well  as  the  anal,  with  the  tail.    No  ventral  fins. 


C.    MACULATUS, 

Spotted  Wry-mouth. 
(PLATE  VIII.  FIG.  6.) 

Cryptucanthodes  maculatus,  Spotted  Wry-mouth,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  28. 
«  "  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  63,  pi.  18,  fig.  50. 

«  "  LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

"  «  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  310. 

"  "  STOKER,  Synopsis,  p.  58. 

"  «  H.  R.  STORER,  Boat.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  vi.  p.  254. 

Color.  Body  a  dark  reddish-brown  tinged  with  violet.  Abdomen  and  throat  a 
dirty  grayish-white.  A  row  or  two  of  moderate-sized  dark-brown  blotches  above  the 
lateral  line,  and  another  row  immediately  beneath  it,  extend  throughout  the  greater 
part  of  its  length  to  the  tail.  Tip  and  sides  of  head,  snout,  and  anterior  portion  of 
under  side  of  lower  jaw,  marked  with  smaller  spots  of  the  same  color  as  those  on 
the  sides.  Pupils  black  ;  irides  golden. 

Description.  Length  of  head  about  one  sixth  the  entire  length  ;  greatest  breadth 
about  one  half  the  length  of  the  head.  On  each  side  of  top  of  head,  two  prominent 
bony  ridges  run  directly  back  from  posterior  angle  of  eye  to  occiput.  The  posterior 
angles  of  operculum  and  preoperculum  ;  the  lower  edge  of  preopercle  ;  the  scapular 
bones,  —  all  seem  like  sharp  points  and  edges  concealed  by  the  skin.  The  operculum 
is  large  and  triangular,  covered  by  the  skin,  as  is  also  the  preoperculum,  which  presents 
to  the  touch  two  sensible  carinoe.  Eyes  circular,  deeply  sunk  in  the  projecting  orbits  ; 
diameter  of  orbit  about  equal  to  distance  between  eyes.  Nostrils  tubular,  situated  on 
the  side  of  the  prominent  snout,  just  at  the  edge  of  the  intermaxillary  bones.  Lips 
fleshy;  lower  jaw  projecting  beyond  the  upper;  mouth  slanting  obliquely  downwards  ; 
numerous  teeth  in  jaws  and  upon  the  vomer  and  palatine  bones,  —  those  on  the  back 
part  of  the  jaws  recurved,  while  those  in  front  are  smaller  and  nearly  straight.  Gape 
of  mouth  moderate.  Branchiostegal  membrane  extended  along  and  connected  with 
the  sides  for  a  short  distance.  Lateral  line  straight  and  interrupted. 

The  dorsal  fin  arises  above  the  posterior  half  of  the  pectorals,  and  is  continued  to 
and  united  with  the  caudal  ;  all  its  rays  are  spinous  and  strong,  concealed  by  a  stout 
and  fleshy  membrane  ;  the  first  few  rays  are  shortest. 

The  pectorals  arise  beneath  the  membrane  of  the  branchiae  ;  they  are  fleshy, 
small,  and  rounded. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  83 

The  anal  arises  upon  the  anterior  half  of  body  ;  it  is  similar  in  its  form  and  the 
character  of  its  rays  and  their  enveloping  membrane  to  the  dorsal,  and  is  also,  like  that 
fin,  connected  with  the  caudal. 

The  caudal  is  rounded,  and  appears  like  the  prolongation  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins. 

D.  78.     P.  15.     A.  50.     C.  15.     Length  three  feet. 

Remarks.  This  is  a  very  rare  species.  I  have  known  of  only  seven  individuals 
being  taken.  One  of  these  Mr.  Jonathan  Johnson,  Jr.  sent  me  from  Nahant ;  one 
was  found  by  Dr.  Henry  Bryant  of  this  city,  at  Commercial  Point,  Dorchester;  one 
I  received  from  Captain  Atwood  of  Provincetown  ;  three  of  the  remainder  were  said 
to  have  been  taken  in  Massachusetts  Bay  ;  and  the  last  was  found  by  Horatio  R. 
Storer  on  a  beach  in  Nova  Scotia.  The  finest  specimen,  taken  by  Captain  Atwood, 
has  served  for  the  above  description. 


GENUS  VIII.    HEMITRIPTERUS,  Cuv. 

The  head  depressed  ;  two  dorsals,  as  in  Cottus  ;  no  regular  scales  on  the  skin, 
but  teeth  in  the  palates.  The  head  is  bristly  and  spinous,  and  has  several  cutaneous 
appendages.  The  first  dorsal  is  deeply  emarginate,  a  circumstance  which  has  led  some 
authors  to  believe  there  were  three  dorsal  fins. 

HEMITRIPTERUS  ACADIANUS,  Storer. 
The  Deep-water  Sculpin. 

(PLATE  VII.  FIG.  4.) 

Cottus  Acadianus,  Acadian  Bull-head,  PERN.,  Arc.  Zool.,  n.  p.  118. 

Scorpanaflava,  Yellow  Scorpcena,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  382,  pi.  2,  fig.  8. 

Scorptena  purpurea  et  S.  rufa,  MITCHILI,,  Amer.  Month.  Mag.,  n.  p.  245, 

L' Hemitriptere  de  VAmerique,  Hemitripterus  Americanus,  CUT.  et  VAL.,  IT.  p.  268,  pi.  84. 

Hemitripterus  Americanus,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  in.  p.  50. 

«  "  Regne  Animal,  ed.  VAL.,  pi.  22,  fig.  1. 

«  "  GRIFFITH'S  CUT.,  x.  p.  141,  pi.  53,  fig.  3. 

"  "  Sea-Raven,  Deep-water  Sculpin,  STORER,  Report,  p.  23. 

"  "  American  Sea-Raven,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  56,  pi.  6,  fig.  16. 

"  "  LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

"  "  STORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  310. 

"  "  STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  58. 

Color.  Varies  exceedingly.  Some  specimens  are  of  a  deep  blood-red ;  others  of  a 
pinkish-purple ;  while  others  still  are  of  a  yellowish-brown,  darker  on  the  back ;  each, 
however,  variegated  on  the  head,  sides,  and  fins  with  irregularly  defined  markings. 
Abdomen  yellow.  A  large  female,  weighing  five  pounds  and  measuring  twenty-six 


84  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

inches  in  length,  had  the  whole  upper  part  of  the  body  of  a  dark  brown,  elegantly 
variegated  with  white  and  dark-brown  markings  ;  this  appearance  most  striking  upon 
the  head,  about  the  eyes,  and  along  the  upper  jaw  ;  it  is  also  observable  beneath  the 
chin  and  lower  jaw.  The  branchial  rays,  as  also  the  rays  of  the  dorsal,  pectoral,  and 
caudal  fins,  marked  with  transverse  white  lines,  and  the  intervening  membranes  very 
minutely  dotted  with  black.  Abdomen  white.  In  still  another  specimen  of  a  reddish- 
brown  color,  transverse  broad  bands  of  sub-quadrangular  form  were  noticeable  upon  the 
back  ;  one  of  these  occupied  the  space  between  the  first  and  fifth  dorsal  rays  ;  a  second 
commenced  at  the  seventh  ray,  and  was  continued  to  the  fourteenth  ;  a  third,  between 
the  fifteenth  and  sixteenth  rays  ;  a  fourth,  between  the  eighteenth  and  twenty-second ; 
and  a  fifth,  from  the  twenty-sixth  to  the  twenty-eighth  ;  in  the  intervening  spaces  was 
a  whitish  marking  beautifully  edged  with  black.  The  orbits  of  the  eyes  were  marked 
with  white  vertical  lines.  Pupils  black ;  irides  yellowish-brown. 

Description.  Body  oblong,  cylindrical.  Surface  granulated,  and  studded  with  in- 
numerable tubercles,  which  are  quite  large  upon  the  back,  and  very  small  or  almost 
entirely  disappearing  beneath  the  lateral  line.  Head  large,  spinous,  hideous  in  appear- 
ance. The  length  of  the  head,  measuring  to  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  operculum, 
is  about  one  fourth  the  entire  length  ;  width  of  head  across  opercula  equal  to  its  length. 
Twelve  more  or  less  prominent,  blunted,  spinous  tubercles  on  each  side  of  the  median 
line  of  the  head  ;  the  sharpest- pointed,  which  in  some  instances  is  naked,  is  just  back 
of  the  nostril ;  the  largest  are  at  the  posterior  angles  of  the  eyes,  and  just  in  front  of  the 
dorsal  fin.  From  several  of  these  prominences,  such  as  those  at  the  anterior  and 
posterior  angles  of  the  eyes  and  about  the  snout,  are  suspended  fleshy  digitated  cirrhi ; 
those  hanging  over  the  eyes  appear  like  a  broad  fringe.  Orbitar  cavity  large.  Eyes 
moderate  in  size  ;  the  distance  between  the  posterior  superior  angles  of  the  eyes  rather 
less  than  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  head ;  space  between  them  deeply  depressed. 
The  suborbitar  bone  presents  an  irregularly  elevated  ridge.  The  preoperculum  at  its 
posterior  angle  is  armed  with  two  strong  spines ;  the  upper  curves  upwards  and  back- 
wards ;  the  inferior  is  directed  backwards  and  downwards.  The  operculum  is  small, 
triangular,  with  an  elevated  longitudinal  ridge  at  its  superior  part.  The  jaws  are  of 
equal  length  ;  from  the  edge  of  the  lower  jaw  are  suspended  about  a  dozen  fleshy 
prolongations,  similar  to  those  attached  to  the  prominences  upon  the  head,  but  consider- 
ably larger.  Mouth  very  large.  The  teeth  in  the  jaws,  pharynx,  upon  the  vomer 
and  palatine  bones,  numerous,  sharp,  and  recurved  like  those  of  a  card.  The  lateral 
line,  which  is  tubercular,  commences  just  above  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum, 
and,  curving  with  the  body,  terminates  at  the  base  of  the  caudal  rays. 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OK    MASSACHUSETTS.  85 

The  first  dorsal  fin  arises  just  back  of  the  posterior  spines  of  the  head.  The  first 
three  rays  of  this  fin  are  longest ;  the  seventh,  eighth,  ninth,  and  tenth  rays  are  next 
in  length ;  from  the  extremities  of  the  rays  are  suspended  delicate  tentacula. 

Just  back  of  the  first  dorsal  arises  the  second,  appearing  as  if  connected  with  it ; 
and  hence  described  by  Mitchill  as  one  fin.  It  is  of  a  somewhat  quadrangular  form, 
rounded  above  when  expanded,  and  having  the  extremities  of  the  rays  projecting  be- 
yond the  connecting  membrane.  Height  of  the  fin  one  third  of  its  length. 

The  pectorals  are  very  large  ;  when  expanded  resembling  a  wing.  The  rays  are 
uncommonly  distinct ;  the  eight  anterior  are  stout  and  unequal  in  their  length,  the 
anterior  one  being  much  the  shorter ;  the  ten  posterior  are  rounded  posteriorly  when 
expanded  ;  the  four  anterior  of  these  latter,  the  larger.  These  fins  arise  from  the 
entire  lower  edge  of  the  branchial  aperture  ;  their  height  to  their  length  is  as  four 
to  two  and  a  half. 

The  ventrals  arise  just  back  of  the  first  rays  of  the  pectorals.  They  are  composed 
of  three  rays,  the  first  of  which  is  shorter  and  much  stouter  than  the  second.  In 
some  specimens,  however,  the  first  ray  is  the  longest  of  the  three. 

The  anal  commences  and  terminates  on  the  same  plane  with  the  second  dorsal. 
The  first  nine  rays  of  this  fin  are  deeply  divided  at  their  extremities.  This  is  much 
more  marked  in  some  specimens  than  in  others.  The  length  is  to  the  height  as  three 
and  a  half  to  one  and  a  half. 

The  length  of  the  caudal  is  two  thirds  of  its  height. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  — D.  16-13.  P.  18.  V.  3.  A.  15.  C.  12f. 
Length  two  feet. 

Remarks.  This  species  is  frequently  taken  by  the  cod-fishermen  in  deep  water  in 
the  neighborhood  of  ledges  in  Massachusetts  Bay. 

Nova  Scotia  and  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  CUVIER,  RICHARDSON.  Maine,  Massa- 
chusetts, STORER.  Connecticut,  LINSLEY.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY. 

Inasmuch  as  authors  generally  suppose  this  to  be  the  Acadianus  of  Pennant,  I 
am  compelled  to  assume  his  specific  name.  It  is  to  be  regretted,  however,  that  his 
description  should  have  been  so  meagre  ;  and  that,  while  he  described  well  enough  the 
dorsal  fins,  he  should  have  utterly  neglected  mentioning  the  characteristic  cirrhi  of  the 
head ;  this  can  only  be  accounted  for  upon  the  supposition  that  he  never  saw  a  recent 
specimen. 


86  HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

GENUS  IX.   SEBASTES,  Cuv. 

Body  oblong,  compressed,  covered  with  scales ;  all  the  upper  parts  of  the  head  also 
covered  with  scales.  Eyes  large  ;  preoperculum  and  operculum  ending  in  three  or 
more  spines ;  branchiostegous  rays,  seven ;  teeth  small,  numerous,  equal  in  size,  placed 
on  both  jaws,  the  vomer,  and  palatine  bones  ;  a  single  dorsal  fin,  partly  spinous,  partly 
flexible  ;  inferior  rays  of  the  pectoral  fin  simple. 

SEBASTES  NORVEGICUS,  Cuv. 

The  Norway  Haddock. 

(PLATE  VII.  FIG.  1.) 

Perca  Norvegica,  FAB.,  Fauna  Groenl.,  p.  167. 

Perca  marina,  Sea-Perch,  PENH.,  Brit.  Zool.,  p.  226. 

Scrranus  Noreegicus,  FLEM.,  Brit.  An.,  p.  212,  sp.  140. 

Scorpana  Norvegica,  Northern  Sebastes,  JEN.,  Brit.  Vert.,  p.  347. 

Sebastes  Norvegicus,  GRIFFITH'S  Cov.,  x.  p.  144. 

La  Sdbaste  stplentrionale,  Sebastes  Norecgicus,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  iv.  p.  327,  pi.  87. 

Scorpcena  (Sebastes)  Norvegica,  Northern  Sebastes,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  HI.  p.  52. 

Sebastes  Norvegicus,  Bergylt,  Norway  Haddock,  YARRELL,  Brit.  Fishes  (2d  edit.),  i.  p.  87. 

"  "          Norway  Haddock,  Rose-Jish,  Hemdurgan  Snapper,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  26. 

"  "          Northern  Sebastes,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  60,  pi.  4,  fig.  11. 

"  "          STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  11.  p.  312. 

"  "  STOKER,  Synopsis,  p.  60. 

Color.  In  the  recent  fish  the  entire  body,  together  with  the  fins,  is  of  a  beautiful 
bright  red,  with  the  exception  of  a  black  blotch  upon  the  posterior  portion  of  the  oper- 
culum. After  death  the  color  partially  disappears  upon  the  throat  and  abdomen,  and 
the  space  beneath  the  ventrals  becomes  nearly  white  ;  and  at  the  posterior  base  of  the 
soft  portion  of  the  dorsal  a  dull  blotch  is  observed.  Pupils  black  ;  irides  yellow. 

Description.  Body  oblong,  compressed,  covered  with  small  rough  scales.  Length 
of  the  head,  from  the  tip  of  lower  jaws  when  closed,  to  the  posterior  angle  of  the 
operculum,  about  one  third  the  entire  length  ;  head  flattened  above,  between  the  eyes 
and  upon  the  occiput.  The  operculum  is  armed  with  three  spines  ;  one  pointing  upwards 
and  backwards  at  its  posterior  superior  angle ;  a  second  beneath  this,  directed  obliquely 
backwards  and  downwards ;  and  a  third,  much  smaller,  at  its  inferior  angle.  The 
preoperculum  is  rounded  at  its  edge,  and  furnished  with  five  spinous  processes  ;  the 
three  posterior  of  which  are  the  larger.  Two  spines  upon  the  scapular  bones,  and  two 
upon  the  suborbitars.  Four  spinous  projections  upon  the  supra-orbitars,  all  of  which 
are  pointed  backwards ;  one  at  the  upper  anterior  angle  of  the  eye ;  a  second  with 
its  base  continued  along  the  greater  portion  of  the  ridge  ;  and  two  smaller  ones  behind. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  87 

Two  elevated  sharp  ridges  upon  the  occiput,  which  bifurcate  posteriorly  into  spinous 
points.  Eyes  circular,  very  large  ;  the  diameter  of  the  orbit  nearly  equal  to  one  third 
the  length  of  the  head,  when  the  jaws  are  closed  ;  the  distance  between  the  eyes 
equal  to  five  eighths  the  diameter  of  the  eye.  The  nostrils  are  just  in  front  of  the  eyes; 
the  posterior  is  much  the  larger.  The  jaws,  pharynx,  vomer,  and  palatine  bones  are 
armed  with  numerous  minute,  sharp  teeth ;  the  upper  jaw  is  very  protractile,  and  has 
an  emargination  at  its  centre,  into  which  the  extremity  of  the  lower  jaw  shuts,  when 
the  mouth  is  closed.  The  chin  is  prominent.  The  lateral  line  arises  above  the  oper- 
culum,  and,  taking  the  curve  of  the  body,  terminates  at  the  caudal  rays  ;  about  thirty- 
six  tubes  are  seen  in  the  course  of  the  line,  which  are  more  nearly  approximated  at  the 
posterior  portion  of  the  body. 

The  dorsal  fin  commences  on  a  line  with  the  upper  opercular  spine.  Its  anterior 
half  is  composed  of  spinous  rays ;  the  length  of  its  highest  rays  is  equal  to  about  one 
third  the  length  of  the  fin  ;  the  connecting  membrane  does  not  extend  to  the  summit 
of  the  rays,  and  they  are  thus  left  naked  and  projecting.  The  posterior  half  of  this 
fin  is  composed  of  membranous  rays  which  are  higher  than  the  spinous  ones;  the  length 
of  this  portion,  which  is  rounded  above  and  posteriorly,  is  less  than  one  half  the  length 
of  the  spinous  portion. 

The  pectorals  commence  on  a  line  with  the  third  dorsal  ray  ;  they  are  rounded  when 
expanded.  The  rays  project  beyond  the  connecting  membrane  ;  the  length  of  these 
fins  is  equal  to  one  third  their  height ;  the  middle  rays  are  the  longest. 

The  ventrals  are  fan-shaped,  and  situated  just  back  of  the  pectorals  ;  their  first  ray 
is  a  strong  spine ;  the  second  membranous  ray  is  the  longest. 

The  anal  has  three  strong  spines  ;  the  posterior  the  longest.  The  first  membranous 
ray  is  equal  to  the  length  of  the  fin. 

The  caudal  is  slightly  emarginated  at  its  tip  ;  its  length  less  than  one  third  its 
height. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  — D.  15-15.  P.  18.  V.  1-5.  A.  3-7.  C.  19. 
Length  one  foot. 

In  the  specimens  I  have  seen,  the  preopercular  and  opercular  spines  are  much  more 
developed  than  they  appear  in  Cuvier's  figure  of  this  species.  Yarrell's  and  Dekay's 
figures  are  copies  from  that  of  Cuvier. 

Remarks.  This  species  is  known  to  our  fishermen  by  the  names  of  "  Rose-fish," 
"  Hemdurgan,"  and  "  Snapper."  It  is  not  common  in  Massachusetts  Bay  ;  it  is  occa- 
sionally taken  during  the  winter,  and  rarely  in  the  summer,  while  fishing  for  cod,  near 
shoal  ledges  contiguous  to  deep  water.  It  is  not  a  marketable  fish  with  us,  although 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

it  is  freely  eaten  by  the  Norwegians.  Captain  Atwood  informs  me  that  he  never 
saw  a  specimen  of  this  fish  on  the  southern  shore  of  Massachusetts  Bay.  The  fisher- 
men have  an  erroneous  opinion  that  the  spines  of  this  species  are  very  poisonous. 
It  weighs  from  one  to  five  pounds. 

Greenland,   FABRICIUS.       Gulf  of  St.    Lawrence,   RICHARDSON.      Maine,   WOOD. 
Massachusetts,  STORER.     New  York,  DEKAY. 


GENUS  X.    GASTEROSTEUS,  Cuv. 

Body  without  scales,  more  or  less  plated  on  the  sides ;  one  dorsal  fin  with  free 
spines.  Ventral  fin  with  one  strong  spine,  and  no  other  rays  ;  bones  of  the  pelvis 
forming  a  shield,  pointed  behind  ;  branchiostegous  rays  three. 

GASTEROSTEUS  BIACULEATUS,  Mitchill. 

The  Two-spined  Stickleback. 

(PLATE  VIII.  FIG.  2,3.) 

Gatteroslevt  biaculeatus,  Two-spined  Stickleback,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  430,  pi.  1,  fig.  10. 
"  «  "  "          DEKAY,  Report,  p.  65,  pi.  3,  fig.  8. 

"  "  "  "          STORER,  Mem.  of  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  314. 

»  «  "  "          STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  62. 

«  «  "  "         H.  R.  STORER,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist,,  vi.  p.  260. 

Color.  The  living  fish  is  of  an  olive-green  color  above,  lighter  upon  the  sides, 
silvery  beneath.  Gill-covers  silvery,  spotted  with  fuliginous.  Pupils  black ;  irides 
silvery.  Fins  colorless  ;  in  the  dead  specimens  yellowish. 

Description.  Body  oblong,  compressed,  becoming  abruptly  very  slender  at  the  base 
of  the  tail.  On  each  side  of  the  body  are  about  thirty  transverse  horny  plates,  the 
posterior  of  which  are  the  narrower;  these  plates  are  indistinctly  striated.  The  lateral 
line  is  situated  high  up  on  the  back ;  it  takes  the  curve  of  the  body,  and  is  lost  in  the 
carina  on  the  side  of  the  tail.  The  head  is  less  than  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  body  ; 
above  it  is  bony  and  granulated,  as  in  the  Prionoti,  and  flattened.  The  mouth  is  pro- 
tractile. The  jaws  are  equal,  and  furnished  with  numerous  minute  teeth.  The  eyes 
are  large  and  circular.  ,The  nostrils  are  large,  and  situated  about  half  way  between 
the  eye  and  the  snout.  The  opercula  are  covered  with  radiating  strife,  as  in  the 
Syngnathi.  A  broad  silvery  plate  bounds  the  branchial  orifice  posteriorly.  On  each  side 
of  the  base  of  the  tail  is  a  distinct  membranous  carina.  There  are  two  distinct  spines 
of  about  equal  size  situated  upon  the  dorsum  anterior  to  the  dorsal  fin ;  these  spines 
are  broad  at  their  base,  strongly  serrated  on  their  sides,  very  acute  at  their  extremity, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  89 

slightly  recurved,  and  capable  of  being  elevated  or  depressed  at  the  will  of  the  fish  ; 
the  anterior  of  these  is  situated  over  the  silvery  plate  back  of  the  branchial  orifice  ; 
the  posterior  is  above  the  middle  of  the  pectorals.  Just  anterior  to  the  origin  of  the 
dorsal  fin,  and  almost  connected  with  it,  is  another  very  minute  spine,  which  is  naked 
throughout  the  greater  portion  of  its  extent. 

The  dorsal  fin  is  longer  than  high  ;  its  posterior  rays  are  very  short. 

The  pectorals  are  elongated,  broad,  and  fan-shaped  when  expanded.  In  front  of  the 
pectorals  two  prominent,  acute,  serrated  spines,  with  a  bony  process  at  their  external 
base,  are  observed  in  place  of  the  ventrals.  Between  these  spines  is  situated  a  bony 
plate  formed  like  the  head  of  a  lance,  granulated  upon  its  surface,  serrated  at  its  edges, 
with  a  central  carina.  (Plate  VIII.  Fig.  3.) 

The  anal  commences  posterior  to  the  dorsal,  and  terminates  on  a  line  with  that  fin. 
Like  the  dorsal,  it  is  preceded  by  an  exceedingly  minute  spine. 

The  caudal  is  scarcely  emarginated. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  —  D.  2- 1  -  11.  P.  10.  V.  1.  A.  1-6.  C.  12. 
Length  two  inches  to  two  and  a  half. 

Remarks.  Specimens  of  this  species  were  brought  me  by  my  son,  Horatio  R.  Storer, 
from  small  pools  of  water  left  at  low  tide  on  the  rocks  at  Nahant,  and  also  from 
the  marshes  at  Brookline.  Captain  Atwood  has  likewise  sent  me  individuals  from 
Province  town. 

Massachusetts,  STORER.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY.  Nova  Scotia,  H.  R.  STORER. 
New  Brunswick,  PERLEY. 

This  species  may  perhaps  have  been  the  one  referred  to  by  Forster  and  Pennant ; 
but  it  does  not  seem  to  be  the  Northern  Two-spined  Stickleback,  which  has  been 
lately  described  by  Girard  from  specimens  brought  from  Labrador  by  my  son,  under 
the  name  of  G.  Cuvieri. 


GASTEROSTEUS  QUADRACUS,  Mitchill. 

The  Four-spined  Stickleback. 

(PLATE  VIII.  FIG.  4.) 

Gasterosteus  quadrants,  Four-spined  Stickleback,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  430,  pi.  1,  fig.  11. 

L'Epinoche  it  quatre  aiguilles  (Gasterosteus  quadracus,  MITCH.),  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  IT.  p.  504. 

L'Epinoche  a  bassinfendu  (Gasterosteus  apeltes,  Ccv.),  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  iv.  p.  505. 

Gasterosteus  apeltes,  Bloody  Stickleback,  STORKR,  Report,  p.  31. 

Gasterosteus  quadracus,  Four-spined  Stickleback,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  67,  pi.  6,  fig.  18. 

"  "  "  "  STORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  ».  p.  315. 

"  "  "  "  STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  63. 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  13 


90  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Color.  When  alive,  greenish-brown  above  the  lateral  line ;  beneath  this  line,  which 
is  very  perceptible,  the  color  is  darker,  and  is  broken  irregularly  by  the  extension  of  the 
whiteness  of  the  abdomen.  In  young  specimens  the  color  is  distributed  in  four  or  five 
transverse  bands,  which  are  indistinct  in  the  mature  fish.  The  membranous  portion 
attached  to  the  posterior  inferior  part  of  the  ventral  spine  is  of  a  bright  scarlet  color, 
which  causes  this  part  to  appear  as  if  covered  with  blood,  when  the  fish  is  suddenly 
darting  through  the  water,  with  the  spine  projecting. 

Description.  Body  slightly  convex  in  front  of  the  first  dorsal  spine.  Length  of  the 
head  equal  to  nearly  one  fifth  the  length  of  the  body.  Three  or  four  movable  spines 
are  situated  in  front  of  the  dorsal  fin,  with  a  membrane  at  their  base.  Directly  before 
the  dorsal  fin,  and  connected  with  it  by  a  membrane  at  its  base,  is  a  fifth  spine,  which 
is  equal  to  about  two  thirds  the  height  of  the  rays  of  this  fin.  Commencing  at  the 
base  of  the  first  spine,  and  terminating  at  the  spine  of  the  dorsal  fin,  is  situated  a 
groove,  into  which  the  larger  spines  are  received  when  recumbent.  The  first  and 
second  spines  are  each  equal  in  length  to  one  third  of  the  head  ;  when  erect,  one  or 
more  of  these  spines  frequently  project  outward  from  the  straight  line  ;  the  others  are 
shorter ;  the  fourth,  when  there  are  five,  is  the  shortest. 

The  rays  of  the  pectorals  are  very  delicate. 

The  ventral  spine  is  serrated  on  its  anterior  edge. 

The  os  innominatum  extends,  on  each  side,  almost  to  the  anus.  At  the  origin  of 
the  anal  fin  is  situated  a  recurved  spine,  rather  larger  than  that  at  the  origin  of  the 
dorsal  fin. 

The  first  rays  of  the  anal  fin  are  the  highest.  This  fin  terminates  opposite  the 
dorsal  fin. 

The  caudal  fin  is  slightly  rounded,  when  expanded. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  3  or  4,  1  - 12.  P.  1 1.  V.  1.  A.  10.  C.  13. 
Length  one  to  two  inches. 

Remarks.  This  species,  which  Mitchill  concisely  described  and  badly  figured  in  his 
paper  on  the  Fishes  of  New  York,  is  found  in  large  numbers  in  creeks  to  which  the 
sea  has  access,  from  Boston  to  Provincetown,  and  also  in  the  mouths  of  rivers. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER,  DEKAY. 

In  this  species,  as  in  others  of  the  genus,  the  number  of  dorsal  spines  varies.  Cuvier's 
Noveboracensis  is  probably  a  variety  with  three  spines,  and  my  son  has  taken  specimens 
with  five  spines  in  salt  marshes  at  Cambridge. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS.  91 

GASTEROSTEUS  DEKAYI,  Agassiz. 

The  Many-spined  Stickleback. 

(PLATE  VIII.  FIG.  5.) 

Gasterosteus  pungitius,  Ten-spined  Stickleback,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  32. 

Gasterosteus  occidentalis,  Many-spined  Stickleback,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  68,  pi.  42.  fig.  135. 

«  "  "  "  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  315. 

»  "  "  "  STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  63. 

Gasterosteus  Dekayi,  AGASSIZ,  Lake  Superior,  p.  311. 

Color.  When  alive,  this  fish  is  of  a  grayish-yellow  color,  with  from  six  to  ten 
transverse  dark  bands  upon  its  sides,  which  are  very  distinct  in  some  specimens,  while 
in  others  they  are  scarcely  visible.  In  the  same  individual,  these  bands  are  much  more 
apparent  at  some  moments  than  at  others,  as  the  fish  is  excited  by  fear  or  other  causes. 
The  opercula  and  abdomen  are  silvery.  Pupils  black  ;  irides  metallic.  After  death  the 
color  of  the  fish  is  much  lighter,  and  the  bands,  in  a  great  measure,  disappear. 

Description.  Body  much  elongated.  Greatest  depth  of  the  fish  rather  more  than 
one  eighth  of  its  length.  Length  of  the  head  one  fifth  the  length  of  the  entire  fish. 
The  mouth  opens  obliquely  downwards  ;  the  jaws  are  armed  with  great  numbers  of 
minute  teeth.  The  eyes  are  circular ;  the  diameter  of  the  eye  is  equal  to  about  one 
quarter  the  length  of  the  head.  The  lateral  line  commences  at  the  posterior  superior 
angle  of  the  operculum,  and  pursues  a  slightly  declining  course  to  a  line  over  the  anus, 
from  which  it  passes  in  a  straight  line  to  the  tail.  A  strongly  marked  carina  upon  each 
side  of  the  tail,  which  is  crossed  by  twelve  or  more  plates. 

Upon  the  dorsum  are  situated  from  eight  to  ten  incurved  spines,  inclining  to  the  right 
and  left.  The  first  of  these  spines  arises  on  a  line  midway  between  the  opercula  and 
pectoral  fin. 

The  dorsal  fin  arises  on  a  line  directly  above  the  anal  spine,  and  gradually  diminishes 
in  height,  until  its  rays  are  scarcely  perceptible. 

The  ventral  spines  are  stout,  sharp,  somewhat  incurved,  serrated  upon  their  upper 
edge,  with  a  membrane  at  their  base.  A  bony  plate  is  situated  between  the  ventral 
spines,  which  terminates  posteriorly  in  a  point. 

The  anal  fin  is  similar  in  its  form  to  the  dorsal ;  its  spine  is  recurved. 

The  caudal  fin  is  rounded. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  8  or  9  or  10.  1-7.  P.  11.  V.  1.  A.  1-9. 
C.  13.  Length  one  to  two  inches. 

Remarks.     This  pretty  species,  which  is  less  common  than  the  quadracus,  is  found 


92  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

in  the  salt  marshes  along  the  sea-coast  in  company  with  that  species  and  the  different 
killifish. 

Agassiz  considers  this  species  distinct  from  the  occidentalis  of  Cuvier,  and 
has  accordingly  named  it  for  Dekay,  who  had  previously  expressed  doubts  of  its 
identity. 

Maine,  H.  R.  STOKER.     Massachusetts,  STORER.     New  York,  DEKAY. 


FAMILY   III. 

This  family  is  very  similar  to  that  of  the  Percoids,  and  presents  nearly  all  the 
same  combinations  of  exterior  characters,  especially  the  denticulations  of  the  preo- 
perculum,  and  the  spines  of  the  operculum ;  but  it  has  no  teeth,  either  on  the  vomer 
or  palatines  ;  in  general,  the  bones  of  the  cranium  and  face  are  cavernous,  and  form 
a  snout  more  or  less  rounded.  It  often  occurs  in  this  family  that  the  vertical  fins 
are  rather  scaly.  Some  of  the  genera  have  two  dorsals,  others  but  one. 


GENUS  I.   OTOLITHUS,  Cuv. 

The  bones  of  the  anal  fin  are  weak,  and  there  are  no  barbels ;  some  of  the 
teeth  terminate  in  elongated  hooks,  or  are  of  the  canine  form.  Their  natatory 
bladder  has  a  horn  on  each  side,  projecting  forwards. 


(  To  be  Continued. ) 


ft  P.raaford's  lun. 


1-3.LABRAX .  RUFUS.Dekay.  4-6.  LABRAX    LINEATUSCuv. 


A    K  onrel    on    stone 


1-3.  PERCA  FIAVHSCRNS  Cuv 


4-G.CEOTROPRISTES  VARIUS   Storer. 


PI. 3. 


1'appaix  ft  Bradford's 


1-3.  POMOTIS  VULGARTS  Guv-  fc-6.  POMOTIS   APPENDIX  Deliay. 


PI.  4. 


Prmied   "by  Tappan  8t  Bradford. 


1.ACANTHOCOTTUS  VAR1ABILIS 

3.  COITUS  &RACILIS   Heckel.  -  4-6  BOLEOSOMA  OLM3TEDI  A6 . 


Pl.S. 


Princed.  by   Ta-ppajv  ec   Bradford 


l-3.PR10"NOTUSPALMIPESStorcr.-4--6.PJUONOTUS  LINEATUS  Dekay. 


Pl.S. 


, 


W.H    Tappoa  8t  A.Som-el  fro 


Printed  by  Tappan.  fk 


1-4.PRIO^OTUS    PILATUS 


5.6.DACTYLOPTERUS  VOLITANS  Cuv. 


PI.  7. 


A.Scmrel    .from  nal 


ed  tyTappan  ft.  Bradford. 


1-3.SEBASTES   NORVEGICUS  Cuv.^4.HEMITRIPTERUS  ACADIANUS  Storer 


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XII. 

A  History  of  the  Fishes  of  Massachusetts. 
BY    DAVID    HUMPHREYS    STOKER,   M.  D.,  A.  A.  S. 


(Continued  from  page  168.) 

FAMILY  VIII.     GOBID^E. 

Body  more  or  less  elongated.  Scales  small  or  entirely  wanting.  The  spines  of  the 
dorsal  fin  slender  and  flexible.  Branchial  aperture  small.  Ventrals,  when  present, 
placed  in  advance  of  the  pectorals.  Many  viviparous. 

GENUS  I.    BLENNIUS,  Cuv. 

Head  rounded  and  blunt;  body  smooth,  unctuous,  compressed;  a  single  elongated 
dorsal  fin ;  ventral  fins  placed  before  the  pectorals,  and  containing  generally  but  two 
rays,  united  at  their  base ;  teeth  slender,  in  a  single  row. 

BLENNIUS  SERPENTINUS,  Storer. 
The  Snake-shaped  Blenny. 

(PLATE  XVII.  FIG.  1.) 
Blennlus  serpentinus,  STOKER,  Proceedings  of  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  in.  p.  30,  April.  1848. 

Color.  Upper  part  and  sides,  of  a  yellowish-brown,  with  intervening  colorless 
spaces.  Abdomen  white.  The  dorsal  fins  are  brownish,  with  broad,  oblique,  white 
bands.  Pectorals  white,  the  outer  ray  brownish.  Anal  and  caudal  white  with  a  tinge 
of  yellow.  Ventrals  white. 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  36 


258  HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

Description.  Body  very  much  elongated  and  compressed.  Length  of  head  about 
one  tenth  the  length  of  the  body;  convex  upon  its  posterior  portion;  blunted  ante- 
riorly ;  compressed  upon  sides.  Gape  of  mouth  moderate ;  upper  jaw  the  longer ;  a 
single  row  of  minute  teeth  in  each  jaw.  Lips  fleshy.  Nostrils  tubular,  directly  in 
front  of  eye.  Greatest  depth  of  body  about  one  twentieth  its  length.  Eyes  obliquely 
oblong ;  their  longest  diameter  equal  to  one  sixth  the  length  of  the  head. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  commences  on  a  line  above  the  pectorals,  and  is  continued  to  the 
second  dorsal,  to  which  it  is  connected  by  a  membrane,  and  terminates  anterior  to  the 
middle  of  the  fish.  Its  anterior  three  spines  are  the  shortest.  Posterior  to  the  fifth 
ray,  the  fin  is  of  a  uniform  height  throughout,  with  the  exception  of  the  two  last 
rays,  which  are  shorter. 

The  second  dorsal,  which  is  of  nearly  a  uniform  height  throughout,  terminates  at 
the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail. 

The  pectorals,  when  closed,  are  lanceolate ;  rounded  when  expanded.  The  rays  are 
branched  and  free  at  their  tips. 

The  ventrals  are  situated  beneath  and  in  front  of  the  pectorals.  The  inner  ray  the 
longer. 

The  anal  commences  on  the  anterior  third  of  the  body,  and  terminates  on  a  line  with 
the  second  dorsal. 

The  caudal  is  rounded. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  37  -  50.     P.  13.     V.  2.     A.  66.     C.  22. 

Length  of  specimen,  sixteen  inches. 

Remarks.  The  preceding  description  is  drawn  up  from  the  only  specimen  of  this 
fish  that  I  have  ever  seen.  It  was  brought  me  by  Captain  Nathaniel  E,  Atwood, 
who  took  it  from  the  stomach  of  a  cod-fish  in  Massachusetts  Bay,  early  in  April,  1848. 

GENUS  II.    PHOLIS,  FLEMING. 
Neither  cirrhi  nor  fleshy  crests  upon  the  orbits. 

PHOLIS  SUBBIFURCATUS,  Storer. 
The  Radiated  Shanny. 

Pholis  subbifurcatus,  Subbifurcated  Pholis,  STORER,  Report,  p.  63. 
"  "  Radiated  Slianny,  DEKA.T,  Report,  p.  150. 

"  "  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  ii.fp.  370. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  118. 

Color.     General  color  of  the  body,  reddish-brown ;  several  lighter-colored  circular 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  259 

patches  along  its  upper  part,  at  the  base  of  the  dorsal  fin ;  the  spaces  between  the 
rings  darker  than  the  rest  of  the  body,  presenting  the  appearance  of  bars.  From  be- 
neath the  eye  a  broad  black  band,  wider  at  its  base,  crosses  the  operculum  obliquely ; 
two  other  bands  of  the  same  color  extend  from  behind  the  eye  backwards,  in  nearly  a 
straight  line,  the  distance  of  from  one  to  two  lines.  Body  beneath  the  lateral  line 
lighter  colored  ;  abdomen  yellowish-white.  Head  above,  brownish  ;  opercula  and  pre- 
opercula  yellow.  Numerous  black  spots  upon  dorsal  fin  Those  upon  the  five  first 
rays  larger.  Pectorals  light,  with  some  darker  shades.  Edge  of  anal  dark-colored. 
Small  dark-colored  spots  upon  caudal. 

Description.  Length,  including  tail,  five  inches  five  lines ;  depth  across  on  a  line 
with  the  anus,  one  inch  ;  body  much  compressed.  Body  smooth,  scales  very  minute. 
Length  of  head,  from  tip  of  snout  to  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  is  to  the  entire 
jength  of  body,  as  one  to  three ;  entire  surface  destitute  of  scales ;  jaws  somewhat 
protractile,  armed  with  prominent  sharp  teeth  ;  lips  large  and  fleshy ;  over  nostrils  a 
minute  filament  one  third  of  a  line  in  length ;  circumference  of  eye  two  lines. 

The  lateral  line  commences  just  above  the  angle  of  the  operculum,  and  having  ex- 
tended two  lines,  subbifurcates ;  passing  down  in  a  gradual  curve  a  little  more  than  a 
line,  it  is  continued  in  a  straight  course  to  the  base  of  the  caudal  fin ;  while  the  upper 
portion  abruptly  terminates  opposite  the  fourteenth  ray  of  the  dorsal  fin. 

The  dorsal  fin,  commencing  on  a  line  with  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  is 
continued  to  the  caudal  fin ;  the  first  five  rays  of  this  fin  are  shorter  than  the  sixth ; 
the  rays  become  again  shorter  as  they  approach  the  tail. 

The  pectorals  are  rounded ;  they  arise  on  a  line  with  the  posterior  angle  of  the 
operculum. 

The  ventrals  are  situated  two  lines  in  front  of  the  pectorals ;  the  rays  are  united 
throughout  the  greater  portion  of  their  extent ;  extremities  free.  The  anus  is  situated 
two  and  a  half  inches  from  the  extremity  of  the  jaws. 

The  anal  fin  commences  just  half-way  between  the  tip  of  the  snout  and  the  ex. 
tremity  of  the  tail. 

The  caudal  fin  is  rounded. 

The  number  of  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  —  D.  43.     P.  13.     V.  3.     A.  30.     C.  14. 

Remarks.  I  have  seen  but  a  single  specimen  of  this  fish ;  it  was  found  at  an  un- 
usually low  tide  among  the  sea-weed  at  Nahant,  in  1838,  and  brought  to  me  by  my 
brother-in-law,  Thomas  M.  Brewer,  M.  D.  It  was  placed  in  the  collection  of  the  Boston 
Society  of  Natural  History,  and  has  been  destroyed,  compelling  me  to  introduce  here 
my  former  description,  and  preventing  me  from  giving  a  figure. 


260  HISTORY   OF   THE  FISHES   OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

GENUS  III.     GUNNELLUS,  FLEMING. 

Body  elongated,  much  compressed.  Head  oblong.  Mouth  small.  Teeth  velvet- 
like,  or  in  cards.  Dorsal  rays  spinous  throughout.  Ventrals  excessively  small,  and 
reduced  often  to  a  single  spine. 

GUNNELLUS  MUCRONATUS,  Cuv. 

The  Butter-fish. 
(PLATE  XVII.  FIG.  2.) 

Ophidium  mucronatum,  Spinous  Ophidium,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  361,  pi.  1,  fig.  1. 

Le  Gonnelle  epineux,  Gunndlus  mucronatus,  Cuv.,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  xi.  p.  427. 

Blennius  (Centronotus)  gunndlus,  LIN.,  Spotted  Gunndle,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  in.  p.  91. 

Murcenoides  guttata,  Spotted  Gunnel,  LACEP.,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  65. 

Gunndlus  mucronatus,  American  Butter-fish,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  153,  pi.  12,  fig.  36. 

"  "          STOKEB,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  374. 

"  "  "          Synopsis,  p.  122. 

"  "          H.  R.  STOBEH,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  vi.  p.  261. 

Color.  The  living  fish  is  of  an  olive-brown  color,  with  numerous  transverse,  indis- 
tinct, darker  bands  upon  the  sides ;  about  twelve  black  ocelli  along  the  base  of  the 
dorsal  fin,  each  surrounded  by  a  yellow  ring.  Fins  yellow;  the  anal  barred  with 
white.  Pupils  black;  irides  golden.  Abdomen  yellowish.  An  oblique  black  band 
passes  from  beneath  the  eye  to  the  throat. 

Description.  Body  elongated,  compressed,  scaleless ;  and  so  translucent,  that  when 
the  fish  is  held  to  the  light,  the  vertebral  column  is  distinctly  seen.  Head  about  one 
tenth  the  length  of  the  body,  convex  above,  blunted  anteriorly.  Gape  of  mouth 
nearly  vertical.  Jaws  equal.  Minute  sharp  teeth  upon  each  jaw,  and  upon  vomer. 

The  dorsal  fin,  which  is  composed  of  spinous  rays  entirely  concealed,  save  their 
points,  by  the  membrane,  is  but  slightly  raised  above  the  back,  and  commences  on  a 
line  above  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and  is  continued  nearly  to  the  tail, 
to  which  it  is  attached  by  a  membrane. 

The  pectorals,  which  are  situated  just  beneath  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum, 
are  small  and  delicate. 

Two  small  spines,  attended  each  by  a  delicate  filamentous  ray,  directly  in  front  of 
the  pectorals,  take  the  place  of  the  ventrals. 

The  anal  fin,  which  is  rather  higher  than  the  dorsal,  commences  on  the  posterior 
half  of  the  body,  and  is  continued  nearly  to  the  tail,  to  which  it  is  attached  by  a 
membrane,  as  the  dorsal.  The  first  two  rays  are  spinous,  the  remainder  flexible. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  261 

The  caudal  is  rounded  when  expanded. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  75  -  78.  P.  11  or  12.  V.  1.  A.  2,  36  -  40.  C. 
16-18. 

Length  four  to  twelve  inches. 

Remarks.  This  pretty  species  is  common  at  Nahant,  Provincetown,  and  Holmes's 
Hole,  and  probably  along  our  entire  sea-coast.  At  low  tide  it  is  found  upon  the  beaches 
beneath  stones  and  sand.  On  account  of  the  mucus  with  which  it  is  covered  it  is 
known  as  the  Butter-fish.  From  being  enveloped  in  this  secretion,  it  is  with  difficulty 
retained  in  the  hand  after  it  is  captured.  It  is  frequently  found  in  the  stomachs  of 
other  fishes.  My  son  has  detected  it  on  the  shores  of  Nova  Scotia,  and  thence  south- 
ward as  far  as  our  own  waters. 

Bay  of  Fundy  (Island  of  Grand  Menan),  Nova  Scotia,  Maine,  New  Hampshire, 
H.  R  STOKER.  Massachusetts,  STORER.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY. 

GUNNELLUS  MACROCEPHALUS,  Girard. 
The  Big-headed  Gunnel. 
(PLATE  XVII.  FIG  3.) 

Gunnellus  macrocephalus,  GIKAED,  H.  E.  STOREH,  Fishes  of  Labrador,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  vi.  p.  263. 

Color.  Marbled,  and  banded  transversely.  Base  of  dorsal  with  the  generic  dark 
spots,  in  number  twelve  or  more. 

Description.  Body  elongated,  compressed,  attaining  its  greatest  depth  just  posterior 
to  opercular  angle.  Head  quite  large,  abrupt,  triangularly  prismatic,  the  base  down- 
ward, flattened,  however,  on  occiput ;  its  length  one  eighth  that  of  body,  and  just  equal 
to  greatest  depth  of  body.  Cheeks  protuberant.  Gape  of  mouth  large,  obliquely  up- 
ward, so  that  lower  jaw,  projecting  when  open,  does  not  equal  the  upper  when  mouth 
is  closed.  Teeth  in  two  rows  in  front  of  jaws  ;  the  principal  row  being  the  inside  one 
on  lower  jaw,  and  the  outside  one  on  upper  jaw.  Eyes  moderate,  their  horizontal 
diameter  double  the  distance  between  them.  Scales  moderate,  of  nearly  equal  size 
throughout  body ;  when  covered  with  mucus,  giving  the  appearance  of  granulation. 
Lateral  line  straight,  running  along  middle  of  body. 

The  dorsal  fin  commences  above  posterior  angle  of  operculum,  and  is  connected  to 
the  caudal  by  a  membrane  of  less  height  than  its  own.  Its  first  rays  nearly  straight, 
its  posterior  ones  strongly  curved.  Its  height  greatest  on  a  line  above  tips  of  pectorals. 
Membrane  stoutest  posteriorly. 

The  pectorals  are  of  moderate  size,  somewhat  fan-shaped. 


262  HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES   OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  ventrals  are  strongly  marked,  both  the  spine  and  filamentary  ray,  situated  an- 
teriorly to  pectorals. 

The  anal  commences  about  on  median  line,  connected  with  caudal  by  a  low  mem- 
brane, and  is  of  nearly  equal  height  throughout.  First  two  rays  spinous,  the  anterior 
the  stouter.  Its  posterior  rays  longer  than  corresponding  ones  of  dorsal. 

The  caudal  is  quite  large,  circular  when  expanded. 

Length,  eight  inches. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  foUows :  —  D.  76.     P.  12.     V.  I.  1.     A.  II.  41.     C.  20. 

Remarks.  The  specimen  from  which  I  have  drawn  the  above  description  was  taken 
alive,  in  1848,  by  Mr.  Girard,  from  a  sand-pool  on  Chelsea  Beach  at  low  tide.  It  is  the 
only  specimen  of  which  I  have  knowledge,  and  has  since  been  in  the  possession  of 
Professor  Agassiz,  from  whom  I  have  it.  Its  specific  value  was  detected  by  Mr.  Girard 
while  comparing  the  Labrador  species  of  my  son,  Gunnellus  ingens,  with  the  mucro- 
natus  of  our  own  shores.  It  most  nearly  resembles  the  former,  of  which  there  is  an 
accurate  and  beautiful  plate  in  Vol.  VI.  of  the  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History, 
but  is  clearly  distinct  from  both. 

"  Its  size  is  nearly  that  of  G.  ingens,  and  is  consequently  much  greater  than  that  of 
the  average  G.  mucronatus.  It  differs  from  G.  ingens  in  having  a  proportionally 
larger  head,  whence  a  larger  mouth  and  larger  teeth.  These  last  are  longer  than  those 
of  G.  ingens  ;  their  tip  is  club-shaped  in  both.  Profile  of  head  very  convex  above 
eyes,  whereas  in  G.  ingens  the  convexity  of  the  head  is  in  advance  of  the  eyes,  thus 
giving  to  it  a  more  rounded  appearance.  Body  more  compressed  than  that  of  G. 
ingens  ;  height  also  greater.  Lateral  line  straighter  than  in  that  species.  The  vent, 
placed  under  the  thirty-fifth  dorsal  ray,  is  at  an  equal  distance  from  the  snout  and  the 
tip  of  the  caudal,  whilst  it  is  a  little  farther  back  in  G.  ingens,  and  rather  nearer  the 
head  in  G.  mucronatus. 

"  The  dorsal  and  anal  are  much  higher  than  in  either  G.  ingens  or  mucronatus.  The 
dorsal  begins  a  little  farther  back  than  in  G.  ingens.  The  pectorals  are  larger ;  their 
tip  reaching  beyond  a  line  with  the  seventh  dorsal  spine. 

"  The  rays  of  the  anal  show  the  remarkable  peculiarity  of  having  at  their  anterior 
and  convex  margin  several  small  rays  converging  in  an  acute  angle  from  the  tip  to  the 
third  or  half  of  the  length  of  the  principal  ray  itself,  in  imitation  on  a  small  scale  of 
the  finlets  of  Scomber  and  Polypterus,  with  this  difference,  however,  that  in  these  last 
the  additional  small  rays  are  on  the  posterior  margin.  In  G.  ingens  these  rays  are  di- 
chotomized ;  in  G.  mucronatus  they  are  simple." 

The  ventrals  also  are  larger  and  placed  more  anteriorly  than  in  the  G.  ingens. 

Massachusetts,  GIRARD. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  263 

GENUS  IV.    ZOARCES,  Cuv. 

Body  elongated,  and  covered  with  a  mucous  secretion,  in  which  are  imbedded  very 
small  scales.  Dorsal,  anal,  and  caudal  united ;  no  spinous  rays  in  the  dorsal,  except 
on  its  posterior  part.  Ventrals  jugular,  small.  Vent  with  a  tubercle.  Teeth  conical, 
in  two  or  three  rows  in  front,  in  a  single  row  on  the  sides ;  none  on  the  palate  or 
tongue.  Branchial  rays,  six. 

ZOAECES    ANGUILLARIS,  StOTCT. 

The  Eel-shaped  Blenny. 
(PLATE  XVII.  FIG.  4.) 

Blennius  anguillaris,  PECK,  Mem.  Amcr.  Acad.,  n.  pt.  2,  p.  46,  fig. 

Blennius  labrosus,  Large-lipped  Blenny,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  375,  pi.  1,  fig.  7. 

Le  Zoarces  a  grosses  tevres,  Zoarces  labrosus,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  xi.  p.  466,  pi.  342. 

Zoarces  anyuiilaris,  Eel-shaped  Blenny,  STOHEK,  Report,  p.  66. 

"  "         ITiick-lipped  Eel-pout,  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  155,  pi.  16,  fig.  45. 

"        Eel-shaped  Blenny,  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  375. 
"  "  "          "  "  Synopsis,  p.  123. 

"        H.  R.  STOEEK,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  vi.  p.  263. 

Color.  The  living  fish  is  of  a  light  salmon-color,  mottled  with  irregular  olive 
blotches,  darker  towards  the  head.  The  front  and  top  of  the  head  are  of  a  light  brown ; 
two  indistinct  oblique  bands  upon  the  operculum,  one  back,  the  other  in  front,  of  the 
eye,  on  each  side  of  the  head.  Body  beneath  white ;  neck  flesh-colored.  The  dorsal 
fin  is  almost  white,  salmon-colored  at  its  edge.  The  pectorals  are  of  a  true  salmon- 
color,  lighter  at  their  origin.  The  ventrals  are  salmon-colored.  The  anal  fin  is  flesh- 
colored  at  its  base,  salmon-colored  at  its  edge,  with  seven  distinct  white  blotches  in  its 
length.  The  dorsal,  pectoral,  and  anal  fins  are  perfectly  transparent. 

In  the  dead  specimen  the  colors  are  deeper ;  the  general  tint  is  a  yellowish-brown 
or  fawn  color,  sprinkled  with  darker  patches.  The  front  and  top  of  the  head  are 
livid ;  the  gill-covers  are  lighter,  but  rather  dull.  The  dorsal  and  anal  fins  are 
greenish  tinged  with  yellow. 

Description.  Body  very  much  elongated,  tapering  to  a  point,  compressed  posteriorly. 
Its  entire  surface,  with  the  exception  of  the  head,  exhibits  innumerable  minute  cup- 
like  depressions.  Head  large,  compressed  at  its  sides,  broad  and  flat  above  as  far  as  the 
angle  of  the  eyes,  convex  at  forehead.  Cheeks  protuberant.  Lips  exceedingly  fleshy ; 
the  upper  lip  is  very  large,  projecting  beyond  the  lower,  and  in  some  individuals  even 
an  inch  beyond  it ;  the  under  lip  is  less  fleshy  than  the  upper,  and  is  suspended  at  its 
angles  like  those  of  a  mastiff.  The  upper  jaw  slightly  projects  beyond  the  lower. 


264  HISTORY   OP   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  teeth  are  large  and  conical;  those  in  the  back  of  the  jaw  the  sharper;  a  single 
row  from  the  entire  angle  of  the  upper  jaw  the  extent  of  four  teeth ;  then  a  double 
row  of  three  teeth  ;  then  to  the  middle  of  the  jaw  a  row  of  three  teeth  deep ;  the  front 
teeth  of  this  triple  row  are  the  largest  in  the  jaw.  From  the  outer  angle  of  the  lower 
jaw  towards  the  middle,  a  single  row  of  eight  teeth  exists ;  then  a  double  row  of 
five  to  six  teeth,  to  the  middle  of  the  jaw  ;  three  rows  of  sharp  teeth  in  the 
upper  pharyngeals  ;  two  rows  in  the  lower  pharyngeals.  Tongue  large,  fleshy, 
smooth.  Nostrils  tubular,  situated  about  half-way  between  the  eyes  and  the  snout ; 
the  distance  between  the  eyes  is  equal  to  about  one  sixth  the  length  of  the  head. 
The  lateral  line,  which  is  most  perceptible  in  immature  specimens,  commences 
above  the  operculum,  at  a  distance  in  front  of  its  posterior  angle  equal  to  the  distance 
between  the  eyes,  and,  passing  just  beyond  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  makes 
a  slight  curve  downwards,  and  then  passes  on  towards  the  posterior  extremity  of  the 
body  in  a  straight  course.  The  fins  are  all  enveloped  in  a  fleshy  membrane. 

The  dorsal  fin  commences  some  distance  anterior  to  the  posterior  angle  of  the  oper- 
culum, and  is  continued  to  the  tail ;  previous  to  reaching  which,  however,  about  seven- 
teen of  its  rays  lose  their  fleshy  portion,  and  exhibit  only  their  spinous  bases.  The 
first  ray  of  the  dorsal  is  quite  low ;  the  succeeding  three  or  four  gradually  become 
higher,  making  the  commencement  of  the  fin  to  appear  rounded  when  expanded ;  it 
gradually  diminishes  in  its  height,  so  that  the  posterior  rays  are  about  two  thirds  the 
height  of  the  anterior  portion. 

The  pectorals  are  broad,  rounded  at  their  extremities  ;  the  extremities  of  the  inferior 
rays  are  slightly  scalloped. 

The  ventrals,  appearing  like  little  warts,  are  situated  in  front  of  the  pectorals  ;  they 
are  composed  of  two  rays,  but,  being  enveloped  in  a  tough  membrane,  appear  as  one. 

The  anal  fin  is  about  half  the  height  of  the  dorsal ;  terminating  in  the  caudal,  it 
runs  off  to  an  acute  point ;  the  rays  of  these  two  fins  cannot  be  distinguished  from 
each  other. 

The  fin  rays,  as  far  as  practicable  to  be  counted,  are  as  follows:  —  D.  118  or  120. 
P.  19  or  20.  V.  2.  A.  100. 

Length,  three  feet. 

Remarks.  As  early  as  the  year  1804,  Professor  Peck  wrote  a  very  good  description 
of  this  species,  and  accompanied  it  with  a  figure,  in  the  Memoirs  of  the  American 
Academy. 

It  is  occasionally  taken  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  but  more  frequently  in  the  spring 
and  summer.  It  sometimes  attains  the  size  of  three  and  a  half  feet,  and  weighs  from 
one  to  twelve  pounds. 


HISTORY   OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  265 

It  feeds  upon  the  Mollusca  and  Testacea,  and  the  flesh  of  the  young  fish  is  sweet  and 
very  palatable.  The  following  shells  I  have  found  in  its  stomach :  Buccinum  undatum, 
Fusus  corneus  and  pleurotomarius  and  turricula,  Turbo  inflatus  and  obscwus,  Natica 
triseriata  and  consolidata,  Bulla  tritacea,  Tellina  sordida,  Nucula  minuta,  Trichotropis 
borealis,  Turritella  erosa,  Venus  gemma,  Pecten  Islandicus  ;  and  a  species  of  Pectinaria. 

It  is  seldom  met  with  in  Boston  market ;  occasionally,  however,  it  is  brought  in  by 
the  cod-fishers  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  by  whom  it  is  known  as  the  Ling  and  Conger-Eel. 

Captain  Atwood  informs  me  that  it  is  not  taken  so  often  at  Provincetown  of  late 
years  as  formerly. 

My  son  observed  it  on  the  coast  of  Labrador  in  1849. 

Labrador,  H.  R.  STOKER.  New  Hampshire,  PECK.  Maine,  Massachusetts,  STOKER- 
New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER,  DEKAY. 

GENUS  V.    ANARRHICAS,  LIN. 

Head  smooth,  rounded,  muzzle  obtuse ;  body  elongated,  covered  with  minute  scales ; 
dorsal  and  anal  fins  long,  distinct  from  the  caudal ;  no  ventral  fins.  Teeth  of  two 
kinds ;  those  in  front  elongated,  curved,  pointed ;  the  others  on  the  vomer,  as  also  on 
the  jaws,  truncated  or  slightly  rounded ;  branchiostegous  rays,  six. 

ANARRHICAS  VOMERINUS,  Agassis,  MS. 

The  American  Wolf-fish. 

(PLATE  XVIII.  FIG.  1.  (  \  ?'  4hea^  in  front'.  \ 

\  (l.o.  teeth  as  seen  in  front./ 

Anarrhicas  lupus,  Sea-  Wolf,  MITCHILL,  Amer.  Month.  Mag.,  v.  p.  242. 

"  "         "  STOKER,  Report,  p.  69. 

"  "         "  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  158,  pi.  16,  fig.  43. 

"         "  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  376. 

"  "         "  "         Synopsis,  p.  124. 

Anarrhicas  vomerinus,  AGASSIZ,  MS. 

Color.  Of  a  purplish  brown,  with  ten  or  twelve  transverse  nearly  black  bars  pass- 
ing from  the  abdomen  high  upon  the  dorsal  fin.  Beneath  lighter.  One  large  speci- 
men was  of  a  light  flesh-color,  thickly  spotted  with  moderately  sized  black  ocelli. 
Rays  of  dorsal  black,  intervening  membrane  dark  gray  or  slate ;  pectorals  and  anal 
leaden-gray ;  caudal  slate-color,  reddish  at  extremity. 

Description.  Body  elongated,  subcylindrical,  compressed  posteriorly,  covered  with  an 
extremely  viscid  secretion.  Head  large,  compressed  at  sides,  rounded,  slightly  flattened 
above.  Length  of  head  more  than  one  fourth  the  entire  length  of  the  body.  Rows 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  37 


266  HISTORY   OF    THE    FISHES   OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

of  circular  mucous  pores  are  seen  passing  from  the  snout  backwards  beneath  the  eye 
to  the  occiput ;  also  irregularly  distributed  upon  the  cheeks  and  along  the  upper  por- 
tion of  the  operculum ;  a  few  are  observed  upon  the  lower  jaw.  Eyes  moderate  in  size, 
the  distance  between  the  eyes  equal  to  one  fifth  the  length  of  the  head.  Nostrils 
tubular,  situated  about  half-way  between  the  tip  of  the  snout  and  the  eyes.  Jaws 
equal,  armed  with  long,  strong,  pointed  teeth.  The  six  in  the  intermaxillary  above  are 
much  the  largest,  and  diverge  outwards ;  back  of  these  on  each  side  are  six  smaller, 
conical,  sharp-pointed  teeth.  Four  large  recurved  teeth  in  the  lower  jaw;  back  of 
these  are  about  half  a  dozen  sharp-pointed  teeth  of  various  sizes,  irregularly  dis- 
posed; a  double  row  of  rounded  molars,  some  of  them  having  a  pointed  summit. 
Vomerine  teeth  perfectly  united  together,  forming  a  solid  mass.  Two  rows  of  palatine 
teeth,  the  outer  much  the  larger.  Two  rows  of  sharp  teeth  in  the  pharynx.  Tongue 
large,  fleshy,  fuliginous.  Lips  loose,  fleshy. 

The  dorsal  fin  arises  in  front  of  the  base  of  the  pectorals ;  it  is  slightly  higher  at  its 
anterior  portion,  and  is  continued  nearly  to  the  tail,  appearing  as  if  almost  united  to  it 
by  the  prolongation  of  the  membrane  of  the  fin. 

The  pectoral  rays  are  very  large;  these  fins  are  rounded  when  expanded,  and 
slightly  scalloped  at  their  margin. 

The  anal  fin  arises  immediately  back  of  the  anus,  which  is  very  large,  and  termi- 
nates on  the  same  plane  with  the  dorsal ;  it  is  about  half  the  height  of  the  dorsal. 

The  depth  of  the  caudal  at  its  base  is  less  than  one  third  the  height  of  its  rays. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  74.     P.  20.     A.  46.     C.  16. 

Length,  three  to  five  feet. 

Remarks.     Mr.  Agassiz  considers  this  a  distinct  species  from  the  European,  basing 
his  opinion  upon  a  difference  in  the  number  and  disposition  of  the  vomerine  tubercles. 

This  ferocious  fish,  weighing  from  five  to  thirty  pounds,  is  captured  about  rocky 
ledges  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  although  greater  numbers  are  taken  in  winter  than 
at  any  other  time. 

The  Cusk  rocks  between  Boston  and  Cape  Ann  are  one  of  its  favorite  resorts.  It 
feeds  upon  crustaceous  animals  and  shell-fish.  Its  hideous  appearance  renders  it  an 
object  of  such  disgust,  that  it  is  not  unfrequently  thrown  away  as  soon  as  caught.  By 
many  of  our  fishermen,  however,  it  is  considered  very  delicate,  the  smaller  specimens 
weighing  from  five  to  ten  pounds  are  quite  palatable  when  fried,  boiled,  or  broiled,  the 
skin  having  been  previously  removed.  It  is  also  occasionally  split  and  salted,  or  dried, 
or  smoked,  and  is  said  to  be,  when  thus  prepared,  very  good. 

Greenland,  FABRICIUS.  Maine  and  Massachusetts,  STOKER.  New  York,  MITCHILL, 
DEKAY. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS.  267 


FAMILY   IX.     LOPHID^E. 

Scales  usually  absent,  or  replaced  by  bony  plates,  or  by  small  grains  armed  with 
spines.  The  two  carpal  bones  elongated,  and  forming  a  kind  of  arm  to  support  the 
pectoral  fin.  Branchial  aperture  round,  or  a  vertical  slit  behind  the  pectorals.  Sub- 
orbital  bone  wanting,  except  in  the  genus  Malthea. 

GENUS  I.    LOPHIUS,  AETEDI. 

Head  enormously  large,  broad,  and  depressed.  Mouth  large,  armed  with  slender  con- 
ical teeth  on  the  jaws,  palatines,  vomer,  and  pharyngeals.  Tongue  smooth.  Branchial 
rays,  six ;  branchial  arches,  three.  Dorsal  fins,  two ;  the  anterior  rays  distant,  de- 
tached, forming  long  filaments  supporting  fleshy  slips. 

LOPHIUS  AMERICANUS,  Cuv. 
The  American  Angler. 

(PLATE  XVIII.  FIG.  2.) 

Lophius  piscator,  Bellows-fish  or  Common  Angler,  MITCH.,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  465. 
Lophius  piscatorius,  Angler,  Frog-fish,  Sea-Devil,  Goose-fish,  Wide  Gab,  STORER,  Report,  pp.  71,  404. 
La  Baudoire  (FAmtrique,  Lophius  Americanus,  Cuv.  et  VAL,.,  XH.  p.  380. 
Lophius  Americanus,  American  Angler,  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  162,  pi.  28,  fig.  87. 

"  "  "  "       STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Scries,  n.  p.  381. 

"  "  "  "  "         Synopsis,  p.  129. 

Color.  All  the  upper  part  of  the  body,  in  the  living  fish,  is  of  a  dark-brown  color, 
caused  by  minute  irregular  markings  somewhat  resembling  reticulations,  which  occa- 
sionally appear  like  blotches ;  breast  of  a  dirty  white  color.  Cirrhi  of  a  light  brown. 
Pupils  black,  hides  yellowish-brown. 

Description.  Body  compressed,  orbicular  anteriorly,  elongated  and  attenuated  pos- 
teriorly. Its  width  in  front  of  the  pectoral  fins  is  rather  less  than  one  half  of  its 
length.  The  length  of  the  head  from  the  tip  of  the  snout  to  the  occiput  is  equal  to 
about  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  entire  fish.  Numerous  fleshy  cirrhi  are  arranged 
along  the  lower  jaw,  edging  it  to  its  angles  ;  beyond  these,  they  are  continued  to,  and 
upon,  and  back  of,  the  pectoral  fins,  to  the  base  of  the  tail :  beneath  the  jaw  these 
cirrhi  are  much  larger  than  they  are  upon  the  sides  of  the  body ;  on  the  posterior 
portion  of  the  body  they  are  smallest.  The  branchial  apertures  are  large,  and  situated 
under  and  back  of  the  pectorals.  The  vertical  gape  of  the  mouth,  when  expanded,  is 
very  large ;  the  distance  across  the  head,  from  the  outer  angles  of  the  jaws,  is  less  than 


268  HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

one  third  the  length  of  the  fish  ;  the  tip  of  the  lower  jaw  projects  beyond  the  upper. 
The  intermaxillary  bones  are  capable  of  being  protruded  considerably  beyond  the 
maxillaries,  and  are  armed  with  a  single  row  of  small,  pointed  teeth  upon  each  side,  and 
two  rows  of  much  larger  teeth  in  their  centre,  the  innermost  row  being  the  larger ;  one 
of  these  is  upon  the  edge,  the  other  within  and  beneath,  very  incurved.  Upon  the 
upper  jaw  at  its  tip  is  a  space  of  one  and  a  half  inches  destitute  of  teeth  ;  on  each 
side  of  this  space  is  one  quite  large  tooth,  and  a  second  much  smaller ;  about  half 
an  inch  outside  of  these  is  a  single  row  of  eight  or  ten  teeth,  the  first  three  or  four  of 
which  are  much  the  largest.  On  each  side  of  the  pharynx  are  three  rows  of  sharp 
incurved  teeth  resembling  spines ;  these  rows  are  arranged  directly  above  each  other, 
and  are  double.  The  lower  jaw  has  a  single  row  of  numerous,  very  sharp  teeth : 
the  tongue  has  a  broad,  bony,  triangular  plate  upon  each  side,  armed  with  two 
rows  of  teeth  which  are  recurved.  The  distance  from  the  margin  of  the  upper 
jaw  to  the  eye  is  about  equal  to  the  distance  between  the  eyes.  Several  spines 
are  situated  upon  the  head :  two  just  back  of  the  snout  on  each  side ;  a  bifurcated 
one  over  the  middle  of  the  eye,  and  another  similar  one  at  its  posterior  angle ;  and  a 
small  one  on  a  line  back  of  these,  at  the  posterior  portion  of  the  head.  A  spine 
pointing  forwards  is  situated  just  back  of  the  angle  of  the  jaws,  and  three  straight 
spines  are  seen  back  of  this.  The  eyes  are  oval.  Just  back  of  the  snout  are  two 
elongated,  naked  tentaculse,  of  the  fineness  of  bristles,  with  the  extremities  free.  As 
the  tentaculse  are  depressed,  directly  at  their  posterior  extremities  is  situated  a  third, 
with  about  half  of  its  extent  only  naked ;  all  the  tentacular  are  capable  of  being 
elevated  at  the  pleasure  of  the  animal. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  is  situated  a  short  distance  back  of  the  third  tentaculum ;  it  is 
composed  of  three  small  rays,  the  posterior  of  which  is  the  shortest,  connected  at  their 
bases  by  a  dark-colored  membrane. 

The  second  dorsal  fin  is  composed  of  stout,  fleshy  rays ;  it  is  rounded  posteriorly, 
and  is  as  long  again  as  high. 

The  pectorals  are  rather  higher  than  long,  slightly  digitated  at  their  extremities,  and 
ciliated. 

The  ventrals  are  stout  and  fleshy ;  their  anterior  ray  is  bifurcated  at  its  base. 

The  anal  fin  arises  back  of  the  commencement  of  the  second  dorsal ;  its  posterior 
portion  is  the  higher. 

The  caudal  fin  is  stout,  fleshy,  and  digitated  at  its  extremity. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  3  -  11.     P.  24  or  25.     V.  5.     A.  9.     C.  8. 

Length,  four  feet. 


HISTORY   OP   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  269 

Remarks.  This  fish,  which  weighs  from  fifteen  to  seventy  pounds,  is  not  a  common 
species  in  Massachusetts  Bay,  although  it  is  taken  throughout  its  whole  extent  from 
Lynn  to  Provincetown  during  the  months  of  September,  October,  and  November,  and  is 
met  with  in  great  numbers  at  its  mouth.  It  is  captured  with  the  hook,  while  fish- 
ing for  other  species,  and  also  in  nets.  Among  the  fishermen  in  some  parts  of  the 
Bay,  there  is  a  common  saying,  "  When  you  take  a  goose-fish,  look  out  for  an  easterly 
storm."  It  is  exceedingly  voracious,  feeding  upon  all  kinds  of  fish,  and  the  capacity 
of  its  mouth  enables  it  to  swallow  species  as  large  as  itself.  Captain  Atwood,  of  Prov- 
incetown, tells  me  he  has  repeatedly  seen  one  swimming  towards  the  shore  with  an- 
other of  the  same  species  as  large  as  itself  in  its  mouth.  And  both  he  and  Captain 
Nathaniel  Blanchard,  of  Lynn,  assure  me,  that,  when  opened,  entire  sea-fowl,  such  as 
large  gulls,  are  frequently  found  in  their  stomachs,  which  they  supposed  them  to  catch 
in  the  night,  while  they  are  floating  upon  the  surface  of  the  water.  I  was  informed 
by  Captain  Leonard  West,  of  Chilmark,  that  he  had  known  a  goose-fish  to  be  taken 
having  in  its  stomach,  six  coots  in  a  fresh  condition.  These  he  considered  to  have 
been  swallowed  when  they  had  been  diving  to  the  bottom  in  search  of  food.  No  use 
is  made  of  this  fish,  as  its  liver  contains  but  little  if  any  oil;  and  its  flesh  has  no 
fat.  This  is  a  singular  fact,  as  most,  if  not  all,  other  fish  have  either  fat  in  their  livers 
or  in  their  flesh.  It  is  seldom  that  fat  is  found  both  in  the  liver  and  in  other  parts 
of  the  body  of  a  species.  The  dog-fish,  however,  supplies  the  fishermen  with  oil  from 
its  liver,  and  its  body  when  dried  will  burn,  to  use  a  fisherman's  words,  "  like  fat 
pine."  This  is  considered  a  very  stupid  fish ;  thousands  run  ashore  at  Provincetown 
every  season,  and  are  thus  destroyed.  They  frequently  swim  towards  the  shore  in 
the  day-time,  and  if  pushed  into  the  water  by  a  passer-by  are  as  likely  to  turn  again 
to  the  shore  as  from  it. 

Maine,  Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  AYRES.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER, 
DEKAY.  Delaware,  DEKAY. 

GENUS  II.    CHIRONECTES,  Cuv. 

Head  vertically  compressed.  Three  free  rays  on  the  summit  of  the  head.  Mouth 
cleft  more  or  less  vertically,  opening  to  the  gills  by  a  round  aperture  behind  the 
pectorals.  Tongue  edentate.  Intermaxillaries,  lower  jaw,  vomer,  palatines,  and 
pharyngeals  with  minute,  card-like  teeth.  Dorsal  long. 


270  HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

CHIRONECTES  L^EVIGATUS,  Cuv. 
The  Smooth  Mouse-fish. 
(PLATE  XVIII.  FIG.  3.) 

Chironectes  kzvigatus,  Ccv.,  Mem.  du  Musfeum,  HI.  p.  423,  pi.  16,  fig.  1. 
Le  Chironecles  uni,  Chironectes  laivigatus,  Ccv.  et  VAL.,  xii.  p.  399. 
Chironectes  Icevigatus,  Smooth  Chironectes,  STOKEK,  Report,  p.  73. 

"  "          Smooth  Mouse-fish,  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  165,  pi.  27,  fig.  83. 

"  "          STOBEE,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  382. 

"  "  «         Synopsis,  p.  130. 

Color.  Brownish,  with  irregularly  distributed  lighter-colored  blotches  margined 
with  white.  Besides  these  blotches,  numerous  yellowish  spots  are  scattered  over  the 
entire  surface.  The  markings  upon  the  dorsal,  anal,  and  caudal  fins  form  irregular 
transverse  bauds.  Pectorals  and  ventrals  marked  with  white  dots. 

Description.  Body  smooth,  much  compressed  laterally,  tapering  to  the  tail ;  thickest 
at  pectorals.  Greatest  depth  less  than  half  its  length.  Between  and  above  the  eyes  is 
situated  a  dark-colored  flexible  ray,  terminated  by  a  slight  filament.  Behind  this  are 
ten  rays  connected  by  a  strong  membrane,  which  is  continued  posteriorly;  one  of 
these  rays  is  quite  large  and  stout;  a  filament  is  suspended  from  its  extremity. 
Minute  cuticular  processes  are  observed  beneath,  and  along  the  edge  of,  the  lower  jaw ; 
one  exists  at  the  base  of  the  ray,  between  the  eyes.  Eyes  small,  circular.  Jaws 
armed  with  numerous  minute  teeth.  Branchial  orifice,  a  small  aperture  beneath  the 
pectorals. 

The  dorsal  fin,  which  is  longer  than  high,  commences  on  a  line  above  the  origin  of 
the  pectorals,  and  is  continued  to  the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail. 

The  pectorals  are  stout,  expanded,  and  digitated  at  their  extremity. 

The  ventrals  are  situated  in  front  of  the  pectorals,  and  are  digitated  like  those  fins. 

The  anal  fin  commences  opposite  the  posterior  portion  of  the  dorsal ;  it  is  higher 
than  long,  and  is  rounded. 

The  caudal  fin  is  rounded. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  12.     P.  10.     V.  5.     A.  6.     C.  9. 

Length,  from  two  to  four  inches. 

Remarks.  The  only  specimens  of  this  species  I  have  known  to  be  taken  in  this 
State  were  sent  me  several  years  since  from  Holmes' s  Hole,  by  the  late  Dr.  Yale  of 
that  place. 

Massachusetts,  STORER.    New  York,  DEKAY.     South  Carolina,  CUVIER. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES   OF   MASSACHUSETTS.  271 

GENUS  III.    BATRACHUS,  SCHNEIDER. 

Head  depressed,  broader  than  body.  Ventrals  jugular,  with  three  rays;  the  first 
elongated.  First  dorsal  small ;  second  low  and  long.  Base  of  the  pectorals  elongated. 
Branchial  aperture  small,  with  six  rays.  Subopercle  as  large  as  the  opercle,  and  both 
spinous.  No  suborbital.  Teeth  on  the  jaws,  front  of  the  vomer  and  palatines. 

BATRACHXJS  TAU,  Lin. 
The  Common  Toad-fish. 

(PLATE  XIX.  FIG.  1,  2,  young  and  adult  fish.) 
Gadus  tau,  LIN.,  Syst.  Nat.  (twelfth  edition),  p.  440. 
"      "     BLOCH,  n.  p.  150,  pi.  67,  fig.  2  and  3. 
"      "      Toad  Gadus,  SHAW,  Gen.  Zool,  IT.  p.  159. 

Lophius  bufo,  Toad-fish,  MITCH.,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soe.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  463. 
Batrachoides  variegatus,  var.  a.  b.,  LESTTEUR,  Journ.  Acad.  Nat.  Sc.,  in.  pp.  399,  401. 
Batrachus  variegatus,  Toad-fish,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  74. 
Le  Batracholde  tau,  Batrachus  tau,  Ccv.  et  VAL.,  xn.  p.  478. 
Batrachus  tau,  Common  Toad-fish,  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  168,  pi.  28,  fig.  86. 
"         "    STOEER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  384. 
"         "         «        Synopsis,  p.  132. 

Color.  Yellowish,  the  entire  surface  of  the  head,  sides,  and  abdomen  marbled  with 
black  spots,  which  are  confluent  upon  the  sides,  presenting  the  appearance  of  irregular 
bands.  All  the  fins  also  barred  with  black.  The  dorsal  bands  oblique,  those  of 
pectorals  and  caudal  concentric,  five  or  six  in  number. 

Description.  Shape  of  fish  broad  anteriorly,  laterally  compressed  posteriorly;  its 
width  gradually  diminishing  to  extremity  of  caudal  fin.  Length  of  head  one  third 
that  of  entire  fish;  its  breadth  equal  to  its  length.  Greatest  depth  equal  to  one 
fourth  its  length.  Body  entirely  covered  by  a  copious  viscid  secretion,  which  flows 
from  numerous  mucous  pores  distributed  over  its  surface,  those  on  the  head  being 
much  the  largest.  Head  large,  compressed  above,  rounded  anteriorly.  Mouth  very 
large.  Lower  jaw  the  longer.  Jaws  covered  with  strong,  conical,  and  distinct 
teeth,  disposed  in  several  rows  in  front  and  in  a  single  row  behind  in  each  jaw.  Teeth 
also,  but  smaller  and  crowded,  on  intermaxillaries  and  vomer ;  none  on  palatine  bones. 
Tongue  scarcely  perceptible.  Lips  large  and  fleshy.  Nostrils  double.  Four  small  and 
blunted  cirrhi  on  chin ;  on  each  side  of  these,  along  the  margin  of  the  lower  jaw,  a 
series  of  five  or  more  larger  ones  sometimes  palmated  at  tips.  Also  a  very  large 
cirrhus  over  each  eye,  preceded  by  a  much  smaller  one.  Eyes  moderate,  slightly 
oblique,  guarded  by  a  thick,  gelatinous  membrane.  Preoperculum  armed  with  three 
distinct  concealed  spines,  the  middle  the  smallest.  Branchial  aperture  of  same  width 


272  HISTORY   OF    THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

as  base  of  pectoral  fin.  The  lateral  line,  marked  throughout  its  whole  extent  by  very 
distinct  mucous  pores,  arises  just  back  of  upper  spine  of  operculum,  and  runs  nearly 
a  straight  course  high  up  on  the  back  to  the  tail. 

The  dorsal  fin  arises  just  back  of  the  head,  and  is  continued  to  the  tail.  Its  first 
three  rays  are  spinous,  the  central  one  being  much  the  longest ;  these  are  united  to  the 
fleshy  rays  by  a  deeply  emarginated  membrane.  Fleshy  portion  of  nearly  uniform 
height.  Rays  multifid.  Terminates  abruptly  at  base  of  tail,  to  which  it  is  connected 
by  a  membrane. 

The  pectorals,  stout  and  fleshy,  arise  at  the  lower  edge  of  the  branchial  opening; 
rounded  and  fan-shaped  when  expanded. 

The  ventrals,  of  very  irregular  shape,  originate  some  distance  in  front  of  pectorals ; 
the  first  ray,  which  is  stout  and  falciform,  is  enveloped  in  a  thick,  fleshy  membrane. 
Fin  tied  down  to  abdomen  posteriorly. 

The  anal  fin  commences  beneath  the  anterior  third  of  the  dorsal,  and  terminates  on 
a  line  with  the  posterior  extremity  of  that  fin ;  the  fleshy  margin  is  strongly  digitated. 

The  caudal  fin  is  broad  and  rounded  posteriorly. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  3  -  27.     P.  16.     V.  3.     A.  24.     C.  14. 

Remarks.  The  Toad-fish  is  an  inhabitant  of  our  entire  Atlantic  coast,  extending  its 
residence  also  even  as  far  as  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  to  some  of  the  West  India 
Islands.  It  lives  generally  in  shoal  water,  being  seldom  taken  at  any  great  distance 
from  the  shore.  The  particular  situations  which  it  chooses  vary  with  the  nature  of 
the  coast.  Thus  along  our  Southern  shores  it  is  found  in  the  shallow  bays.  The 
sandy  or  muddy  bottom  of  these  is  overgrown  with  Eel-grass  (Zostera  marina),  under 
cover  of  which  it  lives  in  security,  and  finds  abundant  sources  of  food.  Where  the 
coast,  on  the  contrary,  is  more  or  less  rocky,  we  meet  with  it  chiefly  under  stones. 
Examining  the  places  where  the  water  is  but  a  few  inches  in  depth  at  low  tide,  we  see 
that,  under  many  of  the  stones  and  smaller  rocks,  the  sand  on  one  side  has  been  removed, 
leaving  a  shallow  cavity,  perhaps  a  foot  in  width,  and  extending  back  beneath  the 
stone.  If  we  approach  this  cautiously,  we  shall  probably  distinguish  the  head  of  a 
Toad-fish,  very  much  in  the  position  of  that  of  a  dog  as  he  lies  looking  out  of 
his  kennel.  The  fish  is  at  rest,  and  might  be  overlooked  by  a  careless  observer.  A 
closer  attention,  however,  readily  distinguishes  the  curve  of  its  broad  mouth,  the 
delicate  laciniated  processes  with  which  its  jaws  and  other  parts  of  its  head  are  orna- 
mented, its  truly  beautiful  eyes,  and  sometimes  the  anterior  portion  of  its  body.  At 
the  slightest  alarm,  it  retreats  beneath  the  stone,  but  presently  reappears.  It  is  lying 
here,  perhaps  merely  as  in  a  safe  resting-place,  perhaps  on  the  watch  for  its  prey. 


HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  273 

But  during  the  months  of  June,  July,  and  August,  \ve  shall  in  many  instances  be  able 
to  discover  another  purpose,  —  it  is  apparently  guarding  its  eggs  or  young.  "We  shall 
then  find,  on  the  inferior  surface  of  the  stone,  the  young  Toad-fish  adhering,  to  the 
number  of  several  hundreds.  They  will  be  in  different  stages  of  development,  according 
to  the  season  of  our  examination.  We  may  see  the  eggs,  not  larger  than  very  small  shot ; 
a  little  later  they  are  increased  in  size,  and  the  young  fish  plainly  visible  through  their 
walls ;  a  little  later  still,  the  young  have  made  their  escape,  but  are  still  attached  to 
the  stone.  The  attachment  now,  however,  is  accomplished  in  a  different  manner.  The 
yolk,  not  being  yet  absorbed,  occupies  a  rounded  sac  protruding  by  a  narrow  orifice 
from  the  abdomen,  and  the  part  of  this  sac  near  its  outer  border,  being  constricted, 
leaves  external  to  it  a  disc,  by  means  of  which,  acting  as  a  sucker,  the  young  fish 
adheres  so  firmly  as  to  occasion  difficulty  in  detaching  it.  They  remain  thus  until  they 
have  attained  the  length  of  half  or  three  quarters  of  an  inch,  or  until  the  yolk-sac  is 
entirely  absorbed.  During  this  period  an  adult  fish  occupies  the  cavity  beneath  the 
stone,  and  if  driven  from  it  speedily  returns.  That  this  is,  in  all  cases,  the  mother  of 
the  young  ones,  and  that  she  is  there  for  the  purpose  of  guarding  them,  we  have  no 
means  of  determining :  we  can  only  infer  it.  Although  the  assertion,  that  fish  have 
no  affection  for  their  young,  has  long  been  considered  universally  true,  yet  exceptions 
to  it  are  now  well  known  to  exist.  Our  common  Cat-fish,  or  Horned  Pout,  furnishes 
an  example,  and  the  habit  of  the  Batrachus  here  described  appears  to  give  another 
illustration  bearing  on  the  same  point. 

During  the  winter  months,  in  our  colder  latitudes,  the  Toad-fish  in  some  instances, 
perhaps,  retire  into  deep  water ;  it  is  true,  however,  that  many  of  them  become  nearly 
torpid.  They  are  found  buried  beneath  the  mud,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Eels,  and 
are  sometimes  taken  with  the  spear  thrust  down  in  search  of  their  more  valued 
neighbors.  One  which  was  caught  in  this  way  was  nearly  as  vigorous  and  capable  of 
motion  after  twenty-four  hours  of  removal  from  the  water,  as  when  first  taken. 

The  Toad-fish  is  not  commonly  employed  as  an  article  of  food.  Its  slippery, 
slimy  surface,  and  its  generally  repulsive  aspect,  cause  it  to  be  looked  on  rather  with 
disgust.  That  its  flesh,  however,  is  delicate  and  good,  can  scarcely  be  questioned,  though 
the  small  size  which  it  attains,  —  eight  inches  to  a  foot  in  length,  —  and  the  fact  that 
it  is  never  taken  in  any  large  quantities,  prevent  it  from  being  of  much  economical  value. 

The  specific  name  tau,  given  to  this  species  by  Linnaeus,  is  derived  from  a  character  not 
discernible  until  the  fish  is  dead  and  his  integuments  have  become  dry.  The  bones 
on  the  upper  surface  of  the  skull  are  then  seen  to  present  a  transverse  ridge  met 
by  another  in  a  longitudinal  direction,  thus  resembling  the  Greek  letter  T  (tau). 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  38 


274  HISTORY  or  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

For  the  beautiful  living  specimen,  from  which  my  description  and  drawing  have 
been  made,  I  am  indebted  to  John  Manchester  Smith,  M.  D.,  of  Tisbury ;  and  the 
notes  upon  the  habits  of  this  species  were  furnished  me  by  my  excellent  friend,  William 
O.  Ayres,  M.  D.,  a  very  accurate  observer,  of  East  Hartford,  Connecticut,  now  estab- 
lished in  San  Francisco,  California. 

Maine,  Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  AYRES.  New  York,  MITCHILL, 
CUVIER,  DEKAY.  Gulf  of  Mexico,  CUVIER. 

FAMILY   X.     LABRID^E. 

Body  oblong  and  scaly;  a  single  dorsal  is  supported  in  front  by  spines,  each 
of  which  is  generally  furnished  with  a  membranous  appendage ;  the  jaws  are  covered 
with  fleshy  lips ;  there  are  three  pharyngeals,  two  upper  ones  attached  to  the  cranium, 
and  a  large  lower  one,  all  three  armed  with  teeth,  sometimes  en  pave,  sometimes  in 
points  or  laminae,  but  generally  stronger  than  usual ;  an  intestinal  canal  without  cceca, 
or  with  two  very  small  ones,  and  a  strong  natatory  bladder. 

GENUS  I.     CTENOLABRUS,  VAL. 

Body  elongated.  Preopercle  denticulated.  A  band  of  velvet-like  teeth  in  front; 
behind,  the  conical  teeth,  in  the  jaws.  Three  spinous  rays  to  the  anal  fin. 

CTENOLABRUS    CERULEUS,   Dekay. 
The    Common    Conner. 
(PLATE  XX.  FIG.  1.) 

Tautoga  cerulea,  Blue-fish  or  Bergatt,  MITCHILL,  Report  in  part,  p.  24. 

Labrus  chogset,  Bergall  of  New  York,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  402,  pi.  3,  fig. 

Crenilabrus  burgall,  SCHOEPPP,  Griffith's  Cuv.,  x.  p.  258. 

"  "       Conner,  Blue  Perch,  Chogset,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  78. 

«  «  "  «  "     AYRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  263. 

Le  Ctenolabre  chogset,  Ctenolabrus  chogset,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  xm.  p.  237. 
Ctenolabrus  ceruleus,  The  Common  Burgal,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  172,  pi.  29,  fig.  93. 
Ctenolabre  mouchi,  Ctenolabrus  uninotatus,  Ccv.  et  VAL.,  xm.  p.  239. 

«  "  "  "  DEKAY,  Report,  D.  174,  pi.  29,  fig.  90. 

Ctenolabrus  ceruleus,  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  386. 

"  "  "         Synopsis,  p.  134. 

Color.  This  species  varies  exceedingly  in  its  coloring  :  some  specimens  being  of  a 
deep-blue  color;  others,  of  a  uniform  brown  or  rust  color;  while  the  ground  of 
others  is  greenish,  with  copperish  spots  ;  or  red,  with  black  points  or  dots  sprinkled  over 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS.  275 

their  entire  surface,  including  oftentimes  the  fins.  Irregular  bluish  lines,  appearing 
like  hieroglyphics,  are  distributed  over  the  head ;  these  are  more  strongly  marked 
between  and  in  front  of  the  eyes  than  on  the  neck.  The  pupils  are  black,  the  irides  a 
beautiful  silver. 

Description.  Form  elongated.  Its  height  measured  across  to  the  anus,  including 
the  dorsal  fin,  is  not  quite  equal  to  one  third  of  its  length  ;  its  thickness  is  about  equal 
to  half  of  its  height,  not  measuring  the  dorsal  fin.  The  length  of  the  head  to  the 
length  of  the  entire  fish  is  as  one  to  four :  it  is  slightly  flattened  upon  its  top,  and  on 
the  back  of  the  neck,  in  front  of  the  dorsal  fin,  is  a  perceptible  convexity.  The  portion 
of  the  head  between  the  eyes,  and  in  front  of  them  to  the  angle  of  the  jaws,  is 
destitute  of  scales,  as  well  as  the  lower  portion  of  the  opercula.  The  scales  upon 
the  operculum  are  larger  than  those  upon  the  preoperculum.  The  preoperculum  is 
finely  denticulated  upon  its  posterior  edge,  throughout  its  whole  length :  the 
posterior  edge  of  the  operculum  is  bordered  by  a  fleshy  membrane. 

The  jaws  are  equal,  and  are  armed  with  numerous  teeth ;  the  six  front  teeth  in 
either  jaw  larger  than  the  others ;  the  front  teeth  in  the  upper  jaw  larger  than  the 
corresponding  ones  in  the  lower.  The  upper  jaw  is  very  projectile.  The  lips  are 
large  and  fleshy.  The  eyes  are  circular;  the  diameter  of  the  eye  is  equal  to  one 
fifth  the  length  of  the  head. 

The  lateral  line  arises  just  back  of  the  superior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and  curves 
with  the  body  until  about  opposite  the  termination  of  the  dorsal  fin,  whence  it 
pursues  a  straight  course  to  the  tail. 

The  dorsal  fin  arises  on  a  line  with  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and 
terminates  within  about  an  inch  of  the  tail.  It  has  eighteen  strong  spinous  rays,  the 
extremities  of  which  are  naked ;  the  upper  portion  of  their  connecting  membrane  is 
free,  presenting  the  appearances  of  sinall  filaments  or  tentacles ;  the  eleven  posterior 
rays  are  membranous.  The  spinous  rays  gradually  increase  in  height  from  the  first  to 
the  membranous  rays,  which  are  still  more  elevated.  The  first  spinous  ray  is  very 
short,  being  only  one  seventh  the  height  of  the  last  spinous  ray.  The  membranous 
portion  of  this  fin  is  rounded  when  expanded. 

The  pectorals  arise  on  a  line  with  the  dorsal;  their  height  is  to  their  length  as 
three  to  one. 

The  ventrals  are  just  back  of  the  pectorals ;  the  first  ray  is  a  strong  spine.  The 
length  of  these  fins  is  to  their  height  as  one  to  three. 

The  anal  fin  has  three  spinous  rays ;  from  the  extremities  of  these  spines,  as  well  as 
from  that  of  the  ventral  fins,  filaments  are  suspended  as  in  the  dorsal  fin. 


276  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  caudal  fin  is  nearly  even  at  its  posterior  extremity;  its  rays  are  longer  than  high. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.   18  -  11.     P.  15.     V.  6.      A.  12.     C.  16. 

'Length,  from  six  to  fourteen  inches. 

Remarks.  This  very  common  species  is  taken  from  the  middle  of  June  until  late  in 
October,  and  is  brought  to  market  in  immense  quantities.  Being  considered  an 
excellent  fish  for  the  table  when  fried,  it  meets  with  a  ready  sale.  It  is  caught  with  the 
hook  along  our  entire  coast,  from  the  rocks  and  bridges  and  boats  ;  and  is  taken  along  the 
shores  of  the  islands  in  great  numbers  in  nets.  It  is  kept  alive  for  the  market  in  large 
cars,  which  are  located  in  the  neighborhood ;  these  cars,  which  are  about  three  feet 
deep  and  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  in  length,  are  closed  beneath,  and  latticed  at  their  sides ; 
being  anchored  in  deep  water,  the  tide  is  constantly  flowing  through  them  and 
changing  the  water.  Sometimes  as  many  as  five  thousand  fish  will  be  contained  in  a 
single  car ;  this  car  will  be  daily  called  upon  for  the  supply  needed  in  the  market,  and 
is  replenished  each  week  or  fortnight,  as  may  be  required. 

Newfoundland,  CUVIER.  Maine,  Massachusetts,  STORER.  Connecticut,  AYRES. 
New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER,  DEKAY. 

GENUS  II.    TAUTOGA,  MITCH. 

Jaws  with  a  double  row  of  teeth.  Opercle  and  preopercle  without  spines  or 
denticulations,  and  with  few  or  no  scales. 

TAUTOGA  AMERICANA,  Dekay. 

The  Tautog. 
(PLATE  XX.  FIG.  2.) 

Labrus  Americanus,  BLOCH,  SCHN.,  p.  261. 

Tautoga  niger,  MITCHILL,  Report  in  part,  p.  23. 

Labrus  tautoga,  Black-fish  or  Tautog,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  399. 

Labrus  Americanus,  Black-fish  or  Tautog,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  76. 

«  «  «  "       AYRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  263. 

Le  Tautogue  noir  (Tautoga  nigra,  MITCH.),  CUT.  et  VAL.,  xm.  p.  293. 
Tautoga  Americana,  New  York  Tautog,  DEKA.Y,  Report,  p.  175,  pi.  14,  fig.  39. 

"  «'        STOBEB,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  389. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  137. 

Color.  This  species  varies  considerably  in  its  markings.  Generally,  however,  it  is 
of  a  bluish-black  above,  diversified  with  bands  and  blotches,  mottled  with  darker  spots 
towards  the  abdomen,  which  is  whitish.  Pupils  black,  irides  silvery. 

Description.     The  body  is    regularly  arched   from   the   tip   of   the   snout   to   the 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS.  277 

extremity  of  the  dorsal  fin ;  its  height  across  the  base  of  the  ventrals,  not  including 
the  dorsal  fin,  is  about  equal  to  the  length  of  the  head.  The  length  of  the  head,  to 
the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  is  equal  to  about  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  body, 
including  the  tail.  The  head  is  naked,  with  the  exception  of  a  patch  of  small  scales 
upon  the  upper  part  of  the  operculum,  and  a  vertical  band  of  similar  scales  upon  the 
preoperculum,  just  back  of  the  eyes.  The  lips  are  large  and  fleshy;  the  jaws  have 
two  rows  of  conical  teeth:  those  of  the  first  row  are  strong,  the  front  teeth  being 
the  largest ;  those  of  the  second  row  scarcely  project  above  the  flesh  of  the  jaws. 
Teeth  in  the  pharynx.  The  eyes  are  circular,  the  diameter  equal  to  half  the  distance 
between  them.  The  nostrils,  which  are  small  and  double,  are  situated  in  front  of  and 
above  the  anterior  angle  of  the  eyes.  The  lateral  line  arises  just  above  the  operculum, 
and  curves  with  the  body. 

The  dorsal  fin  rises  just  back  of  the  pectorals  ;  the  first  seventeen  rays  terminate  in 
naked  spines,  at  the  base  of  which  are  small  floating  tentaculse ;  the  posterior,  fleshy 
rays  of  this  fin  are  nearly  as  high  again  as  the  spinous  rays,  and  this  portion  of  the  fin 
is  of  a  rounded  form.  This  fin  extends  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  tail.  The 
base  of  the  rays  is  scaled. 

The  pectorals  commence  just  in  front  of  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum ; 
they  are  rounded  at  their  extremities.  Their  length  to  their  height  is  as  one  to 
three. 

The  ventrals  are  situated  a  short  distance  back  of  the  pectorals ;  their  length  is  equal 
to  about  one  fourth  of  their  height.  The  outer  ray  is  spinous,  and  is  about  half  as 
high  as  the  middle  ray. 

The  anal  fin  arises  opposite  the  last  spinous  ray  of  the  dorsal  fin,  and  terminates  on 
the  same  plane  with  that  fin  ;  the  first  three  rays  are  spinous ;  the  fleshy  portion  is  of 
the  same  form  as  the  corresponding  portion  of  the  dorsal  fin ;  this  fin  is  longer  than 

high. 

The  caudal  fin  is  even  at  its  extremity ;  its  rays  are  covered  with  scales  for  about 
one  half  of  their  height. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  — D.  28.     P.  15.     V.  6.     A.  11.   C.  15. 

Length,  six  to  eighteen  inches. 

Remarks.  Although  a  few  years  only  have  passed  since  this  species  was  brought 
into  Massachusetts  Bay,  it  is  now  taken  along  a  large  portion  of  the  coast.  At 
Plymouth,  Nahant,  and  Lynn,  at  some  seasons,  it  is  found  in  considerable  numbers,  and 
is  frequently  caught  from  the  bridges  leading  from  Boston.  A  specimen  was  taken 
from  one  of  these  bridges  a  year  or  two  since  which  weighed  eleven  pounds  and  three 


278  HISTORY  or  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

quarters.  The  Boston  market  is  for  the  most  part  supplied  by  Plymouth  and 
Wellfleet.  At  the  former  place  they  are  taken  at  Monument  Point.  I  am  told 
that  two  or  three  families  reside  at  Billingsgate  Point,  Wellfleet,  who  pursue  no  other 
avocation  than  that  of  taking  Tautog,  and  are  thus  enabled  to  support  themselves. 
Many  of  the  fish  are  carried  to  New  York  from  Wellfleet. 

The  Tautog  fishery  continues  from  April  to  November,  and  the  fish  is  taken  by  the 
hook  alone.  Besides  the  large  number  of  Tautog  sold  in  the  recent  state,  they  are  also 
pickled,  and  may  be  kept  in  a  weak  brine  for  a  long  time.  In  this  state  they  are 
considered  by  epicures  a  great  delicacy.  When  fresh,  this  species  sells  in  the  market 
for  from  eight  to  twelve  cents  per  pound.  Its  ordinary  size  is  from  one  to  two  pounds, 
although  they  often  exceed  that  weight.  Mr.  Henry  Blood,  of  New  Bedford,  informed 
me  that  a  specimen  of  this  fish  was  taken  in  Eochester  harbor  which  weighed  fourteen 
pounds  and  three  ounces.  The  largest  individual  of  which  I  have  any  accu- 
rate knowledge  weighed  sixteen  pounds.  Dekay  states  that  he  had  "  heard  of  one 
which  weighed  twenty  pounds,  but  the  largest  he  had  seen  did  not  exceed  twelve 
pounds." 

Maine,  Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  AYRES.  New  York,  MITCHILL, 
CUVIER,  DEKAY.  South  Carolina,  DEKAY. 


OKDER  II.    MALACOPTERYGII.     SOFT-RAYED. 

All  the  fin  rays  soft  and  cartilaginous,  with  the  exception  sometimes  of  the  first  in 
the  dorsal  and  the  first  in  the  pectoral  fins.  These  rays  are  of  an  articulated  structure, 
and  generally  more  or  less  branched  at  their  extremities. 

ABDOMINALES. 

The  ventrals  behind  the  pectorals,  and  not  attached  to  the  humeral  bone. 

FAMILY  XL    SILURHLE. 

Skin  naked,  and  covered  with  a  mucous  secretion.  In  some  genera  the  body  is 
nearly  covered  by  osseous  plates.  Head  depressed,  and  generally  enlarged,  with 
several  fleshy  filaments.  A  second  adipose  dorsal  often  present.  The  intermaxillaries, 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS.  279 

suspended  under  the  ethmoid  bone,  form  the  edge  of  the  upper  jaw.  First  ray  of  the 
dorsal  and  pectoral  fins  usually  a  strong,  articulated  spine,  with  a  complicated 
movement. 

GENUS  I.    PIMELODUS,  Ccv. 

Palate  smooth  and  without  teeth.  Barbels  varying  from  six  to  eight.  Casque 
occasionally  present. 

PIMELODUS  ATRARIUS,  Dekay. 
The  Horned  Pout. 
(PLATE  XX.  FIG.  3.) 

Pimelodus  nebuksus,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  102. 

Pimelodus  catus,  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  402. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  150. 

Pimelodus  atrarius,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  185,  pi.  36,  fig.  116. 

"  "         STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  404. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  152. 

Color.  The  living  fish  is  of  a  fuliginous  color,  darker  upon  the  head  and  back, 
approaching  to  black  ;  lighter  upon  the  sides,  which  are  tinged  with  a  cupreous  shade ; 
white  beneath  in  front  of  the  ventrals;  yellowish  beneath  the  lower  jaw  and  the  under 
portion  of  the  branchiae.  Irides  silvery.  Pupils  blue.  All  the  fins  are  dark-colored, 
In  the  dead  specimen  the  coloring  matter  readily  rubs  off;  and  the  individual,  even  if 
untouched,  rapidly  becomes  of  a  lighter  color. 

Description.  Body  elongated,  compressed  posteriorly;  head  flattened  above;  a 
convexity  anterior  to  the  dorsal  fin.  Length  of  the  head  to  the  posterior  angle  of  the 
opercular  spine,  to  the  entire  length  of  the  fish,  about  as  one  to  four.  Greatest  width 
of  head  equal  to  about  one  sixth  the  length  of  the  fish ;  greatest  depth  of  the  fish 
greater  than  the  width  of  the  head.  Upper  jaw  the  longer,  both  jaws  furnished  with 
numerous  small  teeth ;  eight  cirrhi  about  the  head ;  that  at  the  angle  of  the  upper 
jaw,  on  each  side,  much  the  longest.  Two  others  are  situated  back  of,  and  above 
these,  on  each  side;  beneath  the  lower  jaw  are  also  four  cirrhi,  two  on  each  side  of  its 
middle,  the  outer  the  longer ;  all  the  cirrhi  of  the  same  color.  The  eyes  are  circular 
and  very  small ;  distance  between  the  eyes  equal  to  about  one  half  the  length  of 
the  head.  Two  blunted  spines  or  processes  on  the  humeral  bones,  the  upper  much  the 
smaller.  The  lateral  line  arises  above  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and  runs 
a  very  slightly  curved  course  to  the  tail. 


280  HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  dorsal  fin  is  situated  on  the  anterior  third  of  the  fish ;  its  length  is  equal  to 
half  its  height.  Its  first  ray  is  spinous,  and  shorter  than  the  central  rays.  A 
small  adipose  fin  is  situated  within  a  short  distance  of  the  tail. 

The  pectorals  arise  on  a  line  a  short  distance  in  front  of  the  posterior  angle  of  the 
operculum ;  their  length  is  equal  to  about  one  third  their  height ;  their  outer  ray  is 
spinous  and  serrated  upon  its  outer  edge  ;  it  is  naked  at  its  point,  and  shorter  than  the 
first  fleshy  rays.  When  taken,  great  caution  is  necessary  in  removing  this  species  from 
the  hook,  it  having  the  power  to  erect  this  spine  to  defend  itself. 

The  ventrals  arise  on  a  line  just  back  of  the  dorsal  fin ;  the  length  of  these  fins  is 
equal  to  about  one  third  their  height.  Anus  large,  oblong,  beneath  the  posterior 
half  of  the  ventrals. 

The  height  of  the  anal  fin  is  equal  to  about  half  its  length. 

The  caudal  fin  is  concave  ;  the  upper  lobe  slightly  the  longer. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  1  -  6.     P.  1  -  8.     V.  8.      A.  20.     C.  19. 

Length,  seven  to  nine  inches. 

Remarks.  This  is  quite  a  common  species  in  the  ponds  throughout  the  State,  and 
is  familiarly  known  as  the  Horned  Pout  and  Minister.  Specimens  are  occasionally 
taken  weighing  three  quarters  of  a  pound.  By  many,  it  is  highly  esteemed  as  an 
article  of  food,  and  preferred  to  any  other  fresh-water  fish  save  the  Pickerel.  It  is 
generally  fried,  the  skin  having  been  previously  removed. 

Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  STOKER.     Connecticut,  AYRES.     New  York 

MlTCHILL,  CUVIER,  DEKAY. 

FAMILY  XII.    CYPRINID^E. 

Mouth  moderately  or  but  slightly  cleft,  terminal,  subterminal,  or  inferior ;  upper 
margin  formed  by  the  intermaxillaries.  Jaws  rather  weak  and  without  any  teeth.  A 
pharyngeal  arch  of  curved  and  sometimes  hooked  teeth,  disposed  upon  one  or  a  double 
row.  Branchial  rays  not  very  numerous.  Top  and  sides  of  head  generally  smooth, 
and  always  without  any  scales.  Body  scaly.  No  great  disparity  in  the  fins  between 
the  sexes.  Stomach  without  cul-de-sac ;  no  ccecal  appendages  to  the  pylorus.  Least 
carnivorous  of  all  fishes. 

GENUS  I.    CYPRINUS,  LIN. 

Body  covered  with  large  scales ;  a  single  elongated  dorsal  fin ;  lips  fleshy ;  mouth 
small;  teeth  in  the  pharynx,  but  none  on  the  jaws;  branchial  rays,  three. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS.  281 

CYPRINUS  AURATUS,  LIN. 
The  Golden  Carp. 
(PLATE  XXI.  FIG.  1.) 

Cyprinus  auralus,  LIN.,  Syst.  Nat. 

BLOCH,  in.  pi.  93,  94. 

Gold  Carp,  PENNANT,  Brit.  Zool.,  in.  p.  490. 
Golden  Carp,  JENTNS,  Brit.  Vert.,  p.  403. 
Gold  Carp,  YABRELL,  Brit.  Fishes  (2d  edit.),  I.  p.  361. 
Golden  Carp,  Gold-fall,  GRIFFITH'S  Cuv.,  x.  p.  377. 
"         "      STOKER,  Report,  p.  82. 
"         "     DEKAY,  Report,  p.  190. 
Le  Carpe  dorte,  Cyprinus  auratus,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  xvi.  p.  101. 

"  "        STOBER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  407. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  155. 

Carrassius  auratus,  HECK.,  iu  Buss.  Reise,  n.  p.  1014. 

Color.  All  the  upper  part  of  the  body  a  bright  orange ;  sides  lighter ;  beneath, 
silvery.  Fins  color  of  the  back.  Occasionally  the  larger  species  are  dark-colored 
above,  and  the  fins  are  margined  with  black. 

Description.  Body  convex  in  front  of  dorsal  fin.  Its  greatest  depth  is  equal  to 
rather  less  than  one  fourth  its  length.  Scales  large,  striated.  The  lateral  line  pursues 
nearly  a  straight  course  to  the  tail.  The  head  is  flattened  between  the  eyes ;  its  length 
is  equal  to  the  greatest  depth  of  the  fish.  Eyes  prominent ;  their  diameter  is  equal  to 
one  half  the  distance  between  them.  Mouth  small,  very  projectile.  Nostrils  large. 

The  dorsal  fin  commences  on  the  anterior  half  of  the  body,  and  is  as  long  again  as 
high.  The  first  two  rays  are  spinous  ;  the  first  is  very  short  and  slightly  roughened 
behind  ;  the  second  is  much  longer,  and  is  strongly  serrated  posteriorly.  The  first  two 
membranous  rays  are  higher  than  the  others,  which  gradually  diminish  in  height  to  its 
posterior  extremity. 

The  pectorals  arise  just  back  of  the  opercula,  and  extend  beyond  the  origin  of  the 
ventrals. 

The  ventrals  commence  on  a  line  beneath  the  origin  of  the  dorsal  fin,  and  are  of  the 
same  length  as  the  pectorals. 

The  anal  fin  is  higher  than  long ;  its  first  two  rays  are  spinous,  serrated  behind  like 
those  of  the  dorsal. 

The  caudal  fin  is  deeply  lunated. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  15.     P.  15.    V.  9.     A.  7.     C.  18. 

Length,  six  to  ten  inches. 

Remarks.     This  beautiful  species,  which  is  a  native  of  China,  was  introduced  many 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  39 


282  HISTORY   OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

years  since  into  this  country,  and  is  now  extensively  known  among  us.  It  thrives  in 
quite  a  number  of  ponds  in  the  neighborhood  of  Boston,  connected  with  country- 
seats,  bearing  well  the  rigors  of  our  winters,  and  breeding  freely.  This  species  varies 
exceedingly  in  its  appearance  in  different  individuals.  Yarrell,  in  his  "  History  of 
British  Fishes,"  observes :  "  M.  de  Sauvigny,  in  his  Histoire  Naturelle  des  Dorades  de 
la  Chine,  published  at  Paris  in  1780,  has  given  colored  representations  of  eighty-nine 
varieties  of  the  Carp,  exhibiting  almost  every  possible  shade  or  combination  of  silver, 
brilliant  orange,  and  purple."  It  is  a  very  common  circumstance  to  observe  an 
abnormal  condition  of  one  or  more  of  the  fins  in  this  fish.  Yarrell  says  :  "  These  fishes 
are  sometimes  seen  with  double  anal  fins,  and  others  with  triple  tails;  when  this 
occurs,  it  is  generally  at  the  expense  of  the  whole  or  part  of  some  other  fin :  thus  the 
specimens  with  triple  tails  are  frequently  without  any  portion  of  the  dorsal  fin,  and 
such  specimens  have  been  figured  by  Bloch  and  others.  Among  two  dozen  Gold-fish 
for  sale  in  London,  were  some  with  dorsal  fins  extending  more  than  half  the  length  of 
the  back ;  some,  on  the  contrary,  had  dorsal  fins  of  five  or  six  rays  only,  and  one 
specimen  without  any  dorsal  fin  whatever." 
Massachusetts,  STOKER.  New  York,  DEKAY. 

GENUS  II.    LEUCOSOMUS,  HECK. 

Body  very  much  compressed,  flattened  laterally,  and  deepest  at  the  middle  of  its 
length.  Head  proportionally  small,  and  compressed  like  the  body.  Mouth  small, 
terminal,  unprovided  with  cirrhi  or  barbels  of  any  kind.  Eyes  very  large.  Caudal  fin 
forked.  Body  covered  with  large  scales  appearing  higher  than  long  when  observed 
imbricated,  but  which  are  in  fact  as  long  as  high  and  even  longer  than  high  when 
examined  in  an  isolated  state.  Lateral  line  forming  a  very  open  curve  upon  the 
abdomen,  convex  downwards.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins  without  strong  and  spiny  rays  at 
their  anterior  margins.  Insertion  of  ventrals  in  advance  of  the  anterior  margin 
of  the  dorsal.  Pharyngeal  teeth  conical,  pointed,  and  slightly  curved  at  tip,  and 
disposed  upon  a  double  row. 

This  genus  is  allied  to  Hypsolepis,  from  which  it  differs  by  its  flattened  body, 
small  head  and  mouth,  the  shape  of  its  scales,  and  the  insertion  of  the  ventral 
fins. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  283 

LEUCOSOMUS  AMERICANUS,  Girard. 

The  Shiner. 
(PLATE  XXI.  FIG.  2.) 

Cyprinus  Americanus,  LACEP.,  v.  pi.  15,  fig.  3. 

"  "          American  Carp,  SHAW,  Gen.  Z<xil.,  v.  p.  204. 

Cyprinus  chrysoleucas,  New  York  Shiner,  MITCH.,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  459. 
Leitciscus  chrysoleucas,  STOKEE,  Report,  p.  88. 

Stilbe  chrysoleucas,  New  York  Shiner,  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  204,  pi.  29,  fig.  91. 
Leuciscus  Boscii,  L'Able  de  Base,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  xvn.  p.  313. 
Leuciscus  Americanus,  STOREK,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  408. 

"  "  "          Synopsis,  p.  156. 

Leucosomus  chrysoleucas,  HECK.,  in  Russegger's  Reise,  n.  p.  1042. 
Leucosomus  Americanus,  GIRAED,  in  Lit. 

Color.  General  color  of  the  back  and  upper  part  of  sides  greenish.  Scales  with 
golden  reflections ;  lower  portion  of  sides  golden.  Abdomen,  yellowish-white  ;  opercles 
golden.  Pectorals  reddish-yellow.  Ventrals  and  anal  red,  tinged  with  black.  Dorsal 
and  caudal  yellowish-brown.  Pupils  black,  irides  golden. 

Description.  Body  very  much  compressed ;  its  greatest  depth  rather  less  than  one 
fourth  its  entire  length ;  the  length  of  the  head  equal  to  about  one  sixth  the  length  of 
the  body.  Head  naked,  above  somewhat  depressed.  Eyes  circular,  their  diameter 
equal  to  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  head. 

The  lateral  line,  consisting  of  about  fifty-six  scales,  commences  just  back  of  the  supe- 
rior angle  of  the  operculum,  and,  passing  obliquely  down  over  about  eighteen  scales, 
opposite  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  pectoral  fins  very  gradually  passes  up  again 
towards  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  body,  assuming  nearly  a  straight  course,  which 
is  pursued  to  the  middle  of  the  caudal  rays. 

The  dorsal  fin,  which  is  situated  upon  the  middle  of  the  dorsum,  is  triangular 
and  partly  shuts  into  a  groove  at  its  base  when  not  expanded.  The  first  two  rays  are 
simple,  the  remainder  multifid.  The  first  ray  is  very  short ;  the  second  is  as  long  as 
the  head. 

The  pectorals  commence  at  the  posterior  inferior  angle  of  the  operculum  ;  they 
are  less  high  than  the  dorsal. 

The  ventrals  are  fan-shaped,  and  their  rays  are  multifid. 

The  anal  is  quadrangular,  and  commences  on  a  line  opposite  the  termination  of 
the  base  of  the  dorsal ;  it  is  emarginated  above.  Its  first  three  rays  are  simple. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  9.     P.  17.     V.  9.     A.  13  -  16.     C.  19  -  22. 

Length,  seven  inches. 


284  HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Remarks.  This  species  is  very  common  in  the  ponds  throughout  the  State.  It  is 
seldom  found  in  Boston  market,  although  it  is  said  to  be  a  delicate  fish  for  the  table. 
It  is  generally  used  as  bait  for  Pickerel,  and  is  considered  the  best  bait  for  that 
fish. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY.  Ohio  River,  KIRTLAND. 
Pennsylvania,  South  Carolina,  CUVIER. 

GENUS  III.     HYPSOLEPIS,  BAIKD,   MS. 

Body  rather  short,  compressed,  much  the  deepest  upon  the  middle  of  its  length. 
Head  very  large,  sub-conical.  Mouth  of  medium  size  and  terminal ;  no  cirrhi  nor 
barbels  of  any  kind.  Jaws  equal.  Eyes  large.  Tail  tapering.  Caudal  fin  forked. 
Body  covered  with  very  large  scales,  much  higher  than  long.  Lateral  line  running 
beneath  the  middle  of  the  flanks,  very  conspicuous  from  the  head  to  the  base  of 
caudal  fin,  and  slightly  bent  downwards  upon  the  abdomen.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins 
without  strong  and  spiny  rays  at  their  anterior  margins.  Insertion  of  ventrals  beneath 
the  anterior  margin  of  dorsal.  Pharyngeal  teeth  disposed  upon  a  double  row ; 
external  row  composed  of  a  few  teeth  only.  Skull  twice  as  broad  upon  the  occiput  as 
between  the  eyes. 

HYPSOLEPIS  CORNUTUS,   Girard. 

The   Red-fin. 
(PLATE  XXI.  FIG.  3.) 

Cyprinus  cornutus,  Red-fin,or  Rough-head,  MITCH.,  Amer.  Month.  Mag.,  11.  p.  324. 
Leaciscus  cornutus,  Red-Jin,  STORES,  Bost.  Jonrn.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  182. 

"  "  "  "        Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  409. 

"  "  "  "         Synopsis,  p.  157. 

"  "  "        DEKAY,  Report,  p.  207,  pi.  29,  fig.  92. 

Hypsolepis  cornutus,  GIRARD,  in  Lit. 

Color.  Above,  blackish-brown  with  metallic  reflections.  Sides  brilliant,  cupreous. 
After  death,  the  appearance  of  a  broad  longitudinal  band  upon  sides.  Dorsal  and 
caudal  fins  dark  brown,  sometimes  mottled  with  darker  color ;  ventrals  and  pectorals 
light-colored ;  all  the  fins  and  the  opercles  margined  with  crimson. 

Description.  Body  cylindrical,  quite  deep  anterior  to  dorsal  fin.  Greatest  depth  of 
fish  more  than  one  fifth  its  entire  length.  Lateral  line  commences  at  the  posterior 
superior  angle  of  operculum,  and,  curving  downwards  to  posterior  extremity  of 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS.  285 

pectorals,  pursues  thence  a  straight  course  to  tail,  including  in  its  course  fifty  scales. 
Length  of  head  equal  to  one  fifth  the  length  of  the  fish.  Head  naked  upon  its  sides, 
covered  upon  its  top,  the  sides  of  the  snout,  and  along  the  edge  of  the  lower  jaw,  with 
numerous  pointed  horny  tuhercles,  broad  at  their  bases,  and  acute  at  their  tips,  which 
are  larger  along  the  edge  of  the  jaw  and  quite  small  upon  the  top  of  the  head.  Very 
small  asperities  are  felt  back  of  the  occiput,  upon  the  dorsum,  which  to  the  eye  appear 
like  minute  white  dots. 

Eyes  moderate,  circular ;  beneath  them  a  series  of  mucous  pores.  Nostrils 
large,  tubular ;  the  posterior  much  the  larger.  Gape  of  mouth  moderate ;  the  lips 
slightly  project  when  the  mouth  is  closed.  Scales  upon  sides  of  body  large,  very  small 
beneath  pectorals.  Eight  scales  in  an  oblique  line  above  lateral  line,  and  seven 
below  it. 

The  dorsal  fin  is  situated  upon  the  anterior  half  of  the  body ;  it  is  quadrate,  rather 
higher  than  long  ;  the  first  rays  the  highest. 

The  pectorals  are  broad,  rounded  when  expanded. 

The  ventrals  are  fin-shaped ;  they  commence  on  a  line  just  back  of  the  dorsal  fin. 

The  anal  fin  is  slightly  emarginated. 

The  caudal  fin  is  forked. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  —  D.  8.     P.  15.     V.  8.     A.  9.     C.  19. 

Length,  five  inches. 

Remarks.  This  beautiful  little  species  is  found  in  many  of  the  streams  throughout 
the  State. 

GENUS  IV.    CHEILONEMUS,  BAIED,  MS. 

Body  elongated,  subfusiform,  compressed.  Head  stout;  its  shape  being  that  of 
a  truncated  cone,  owing  to  the  bluntness  of  the  snout.  Mouth  very  large,  sub- 
terminal,  the  snout  slightly  protruding  beyond  the  tip  of  the  lower  jaw.  A  minute 
barbel  at  the  angle  of  the  mouth.  Eyes  of  medium  size.  Tail  tapering ;  caudal 
forked.  Body  covered  with  very  large  scales,  which  are  a  little  longer  than  high, 
subrounded  or  irregular  in  their  outline.  Lateral  line  conspicuous  for  the  whole 
length  of  the  body,  and  slightly  inflexed  downwards  upon  the  abdomen,  and  nearer 
to  the  insertion  of  the  ventrals  than  to  the  base  of  the  dorsal.  Dorsal  and  anal 
without  stout  and  spiny  rays  at  their  anterior  margins.  Insertion  of  ventrals  situated 
a  little  in  advance  of  the  anterior  margin  of  the  dorsal.  Pharyngeal  teeth  as  in  the 
Hypsolepis.  Skull  proportionally  broader  between  the  eyes  than  in  the  latter. 


286  HISTORY   OP   THE  FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

CHEILONEMUS  PULCHELLUS,   Girard. 
The  Beautiful  Leuciscus. 

(PLATE  XXII.  FIG.  2.) 

Leuciscus  pulchettus,  Beautiful  Leuciscus,  STOREB,  Eeport,  p.  91. 

STORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  412. 
"        Synopsis,  p.  160. 

Roach  Dace,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  208. 

L'Able  yentil,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  xvii.  p.  320. 

ATKES,  Proc.  Amer.  Assoc.  Adv.  Sc.,  n.  p.  402. 

HECK.,  in  Euss.  Reise,  n.  p.  1039. 
Leuciscus  Argenleus,  Silvery  Leuciscus,  STOBER,  Report,  p.  90. 

"  "  Silvery  Dace,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  208. 

Leuciscus  Storeri,  L'Able  de  Storer,  C0v.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  xvii.  p.  319,  pi.  505. 
Leucosomus  aryenteus,  HECK.,  in  Russ.  Reise,  n.  p.  1043. 
Cheilonemus  pulchellus,  GIRABD,  in  Lit. 

Color.  Above,  of  a  dark  brown ;  upper  portion  of  sides  brassy  green ;  lower 
portion  of  sides  and  abdomen  of  a  beautiful  flesh-color,  tinged  with,  golden  reflections. 
Head  black  above ;  gill-covers  cupreous,  with  flesh-colored  tints,  and  edged  posteriorly 
with  a  brown,  membranous  prolongation.  Color  of  dorsal  fin  similar  to  that  of  the 
back,  the  firmest  portion  of  the  rays  reddish.  The  pectorals  are  of  a  reddish-brown 
above,  lighter  beneath.  The  ventrals  above  are  the  color  of  the  abdomen. 

Description.  Body  elongated,  dorsum  slightly  arched  in  front  of  dorsal  fin.  Scales 
upon  the  body  large,  transparent,  rounded  at  their  summit,  truncated  at  their  base, 
exhibiting  numerous  striae ;  at  the  base  of  each  scale  is  seen  a  dark-colored  membrane, 
which,  projecting  as  far  as  the  apex  of  the  preceding  scale,  gives  the  appearance  of 
indistinct  oblique  bands  across  the  fish  ;  scales  smaller  upon  the  back,  and  smallest  upon 
the  throat.  The  lateral  line  commences  at  the  superior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and, 
curving  downwards  nine  scales,  pursues  nearly  a  straight  course  to  the  tail.  The 
lateral  line  is  composed  of  fifty-one  scales ;  nine  are  situated  above  the  lateral  line 
in  an  oblique  line  from  the  origin  of  the  dorsal  fin,  and  six  below  the  lateral  line. 

The  head  is  naked;  its  length  is  less  than  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  fish. 
Diameter  of  eye  about  one  sixth  the  length  of  the  head ;  distance  between  the  eyes 
equal  to  one  third  the  length  of  i.the  head.  Nostrils  situated  in  front  of  the  eyes; 
the  posterior  orifice  the  larger,  ttte  anterior  tubular.  Jaws  without  teeth ;  the  upper 
jaw  projects  slightly  over  the  inferior. 

The  dorsal  fin,  which  is  subquadrangular,  arises  on  the  anterior  half  of  the  body.  The 
first  two  rays  are  simple,  the  others  multifid.  The  first  ray  is  one  fourth  the  height 
of  the  second. 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  287 

The  pectorals  arise  beneath,  and  just  anterior  to  the  posterior  angle  of  the  oper- 
culum. 

The  ventrals,  which  are  fin-shaped,  arise  opposite  the  origin  of  the  dorsal  fin.  They 
are  not  as  high  as  the  pectorals. 

The  anal  fin  arises  opposite  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  dorsal  fin  when  it  is 
closed ;  it  is  similar  in  form  to  the  dorsal.  Its  first  two  rays  are  simple,  the  remainder 
multifid.  The  first  ray  bears  the  same  proportion  to  the  length  of  the  second,  as  the 
first  ray  of  the  dorsal  to  its  second  ray. 

The  caudal  fin  is  large,  deeply  forked.  The  height  of  its  middle  rays  is  equal  to 
half  the  height  of  the  outer  rays.  Width  of  the  tail  at  extremities  when  expanded,  to 
height  of  middle  rays,  is  as  three  to  one. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  — D.  9-10.  P.  16-17.  V.  8.  A.  9  - 10.  C. 
20-22. 

Length,  fourteen  inches. 

Remarks.  This  beautiful  species  is  found  in  many  of  our  rivers,  and  is  known  under 
the  names  of  Roach,  Dace,  Chivin,  and  Cousin  Trout.  It  attains  the  length  of  about 
fourteen  inches,  although  the  specimens  usually  met  with  are  much  smaller. 

GENUS  V.    ARGYREUS,  HECK. 

General  physiognomy  resembling  that  of  Catostomus.  Snout  more  or  less  protrud- 
ing beyond  the  upper  jaw,  thus  giving  the  mouth  an  inferior  position.  The  mouth 
itself  is  rather  small,  bordered  with  quite  narrow  and  smooth  lips,  and  provided  at  its 
angles  with  a  small  barbel,  not  always  easily  recognizable,  especially  in  immature 
specimens  preserved  in  alcohol.  The  pharyngeal  teeth  are  disposed  upon  a  double 
row. 

This  character  of  a  barbel  at  the  angle  of  the  mouth,  as  well  as  the  structure  of  the 
lips  and  the  disposition  of  the  ventral  fins,  which  are  inserted  in  advance  of  the  anterior 
margin  of  the  dorsal,  indicates  in  these  fishes  a  much  greater  affinity  with  Cheilonemus 
than  with  Catostomus.  Indeed,  the  only  conspicuous  generical  differences  which  can  be 
traced  between  Argyreus  and  Cheilonemus  consist  in  a  more  cylindrical  body  and  very 
small  mouth  in  Argyreus,  and  the  tendency  of  the  snout  to  elongate  and  project  in 
some  instances  considerably  beyond  the  jaws. 


288  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

ARGYREUS  ATRONASUS,  Heck. 

The  Black-nosed  Dace. 
(PLATE  XXI.  FIG.  4.) 

Cyprinus  alronasus,  Brook  Minnow,  MITCH.,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  j.  p.  460. 

"  "        Black-nosed  Dace,  DEKA.Y,  Report,  p.  205,  pi.  33,  fig.  69. 

Leuciscus  atronasus,  L'Able  A,  Ne,z  noir,  CUT.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  des  Poiss.,  xvn.  p.  376,  pi. 

"  "          STOKEB,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  408. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  156. 

Rhinichthys  atronasus,  AGASSIZ,  Lake  Sup.,  p.  354. 
Argyreus  atronasus,  HECK.,  in  Rnss.  Reise,  n.  p.  1040. 

"  "         GIKAKD,  in  Lit. 

Argyreus  rubripinnis,  Mus.  Par.  fide  Heck,  in  Russ.  Eeise,  II.  p.  1040. 

Color.  Above,  of  a  reddish  brown ;  abdomen  of  a  silvery  white  with  minute  brown 
blotches.  A  broad  black  band,  commencing  at  the  snout,  passes  through  the  eyes 
along  the  whole  length  of  the  fish  and  is  lost  upon  the  caudal  fin.  A  narrow  lighter 
line  arises  at  the  operculum  and  runs  along  the  upper  edge  of  the  former.  Pupils 
black.  Irides  golden.  The  dorsal  and  caudal  fins  are  of  a  dark-brown  color.  The 
anal  is  nearly  colorless.  The  pectorals  are  orange. 

Description.  Body  oblong,  tapering  to  the  tail.  The  greatest  depth  of  this  species 
is  equal  to  the  length  of  the  head.  Head  flattened  above ;  the  length  of  the  head  is 
equal  to  about  one  sixth  the  entire  length  of  the  fish.  The  eyes  are  moderate.  The 
nostrils  are  large.  The  upper  jaw  projecting. 

The  dorsal  fin,  which  is  situated  upon  the  middle  of  the  dorsum,  is  subquadrangular 
and  emarginated  above. 

The  fan-shaped  pectorals  are  situated  just  beneath  the  posterior  angle  of  the  oper- 
culum. 

The  ventrals  are  very  delicate. 

The  caudal  fin  is  deeply  forked. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  —  D.  8.     P.  14.     V.  8.     C.  19.      ; 

Length  of  fish  three  inches. 

Remarks.  This  pretty  little  species,  which  seldom  if  ever  exceeds  three  inches,  is 
found  in  many  of  our  rivers. 

Massachusetts,  STORER.     New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY. 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS.  289 

ARGYREUS  NASUTUS,  Girard. 
The  Long-nosed  Dace. 
(PLATE  XXII.  FIG.  1.) 

Leuciscus  nasutus,  AYRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  299,  pi.  13,  fig.  3. 

"  "       STOKEK,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  415. 

*  "  "  "          Synopsis,  p.  163. 

Rliinichthys  nasutus,  AOASSIZ,  Lake  Sup.,  p.  354. 
Argyreus  nasutus,  Gut.viii),  in  Lit. 

Color.  Dorsum  and  upper  part  of  sides  dark  brown.  Beneath,  white.  Dorsal  and 
caudal  fins  brownish.  Pectorals  lighter  than  dorsal.  Ventrals  and  anal  colorless. 

Description.  Body  elongated;  cylindrical  in  front  of  the  dorsal  fin,  compressed 
posteriorly;  its  greatest  depth  equal  to  about  one  eighth  of  its  entire  length.  Head 
equal  in  length  to  one  fifth  of  the  fish ;  flattened  above  and  destitute  of  scales, 
terminating  in  an  obtuse  snout,  having  the  mouth  beneath.  Eyes  circular,  equal  in 
diameter  to  one  sixth  the  length  of  the  head.  The  nostrils  are  directly  in  front  of  the 
eyes,  the  posterior  the  larger.  The  lateral  line  pursues  nearly  a  straight  course  to  the 
caudal  fin. 

The  dorsal  fin  is  situated  on  the  anterior  half  of  the  dorsum,  and  is  subquadran- 
gular. 

The  pectorals  are  just  beneath  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum ;  they  are 
large  and  rounded. 

The  ventrals  arise  opposite  a  line  just  in  front  of  the  dorsal  fin. 

The  anal  fin  is  of  a  similar  form  with  the  dorsal,  and  arises  opposite  the  termination 
of  that  fin. 

The  caudal  fin  is  lunated. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  8.     P.  16.     V.  9.     A.  8.     C.  19. 

Length,  four  inches. 

Remarks.  This  species  was  first  described  by  William  O.  Ayres,  M.  D.,  in  the 
Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History.  He  had  received  specimens  from  West  Hartford, 
Connecticut,  from  Mr.  Charles  P.  Turner  of  Hartford,  and  others  from  Blanford  in 
this  State,  from  Mr.  C.  H.  Olmstead.  From  this  latter  gentleman,  we  learn  that  "  they 
inhabit  rapid  streams,  hiding  most  commonly  under  stones,  from  which  they  often 
dart  out  with  great  speed."  When  taken, "  they  struck  at  the  bait  with  all  the  quick- 
ness and  vigor  of  Trout,  and  might  be  taken  in  almost  any  numbers."  It  has  also  been 
found  by  Mr.  S.  F.  Baird  in  Nichols  Brook,  a  tributary  of  the  Connecticut  River. 

Massachusetts,  OLMSTEAD,  BAIRD.     Connecticut,  AYRES. 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  40 


290  HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

GENUS  VI.     CATOSTOMUS,  LESUETTB. 

Back  with  a  single  dorsal  fin.  Gill-membrane  three-rayed.  Head  and  opercula 
smooth.  Jaws  toothless  and  retractile.  Mouth  beneath  the  snout,  lips  plaited,  lobed, 
or  carunculated,  suitable  for  sucking.  Throat  with  pectinated  teeth. 

CATOSTOMUS  BOSTONIENSIS,  Lesueur. 

The  Sucker. 
(PLATE  XXII.  FIG.  3.) 

Ct/prinus  calostomus,  FOSTER,  Mem.  Amer.  Actul.,  n.  pt.  2,  p.  55,'pl.  2,  fig.  4. 
Catostomus  Bostoniensis,  LESUEUK,  Journ.  Acad.  Nat.  Sc.,  i.  p.  106. 

"  "         STOREE,  Report,  p.  84. 

Le  Catostome  Bostonien  (Catostomus  Bostoniensis,  LES.),  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  xvii.  p.  432. 

"  "         STOBEB,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  11.  p.  423. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  191. 

Color.  Above  of  a  light-brown ;  the  sides  of  a  reddish-brown,  presenting  beautiful 
metallic  reflections ;  opercula  golden.  Head,  dark-olive  above ;  beneath,  white.  Pupils 
black,  irides  golden.  The  pectorals,  ventrals,  and  anal  fin  are  reddish-yellow ;  the 
dorsal  and  caudal  fins  are  brown ;  the  latter  fin  is  the  darker. 

Description.  Body  subcylindrical,  elongated ;  rounded  in  front  of  the  dorsal  fin, 
compressed  posteriorly ;  the  dorsum  is  broad  in  front  of  the  dorsal  fin.  The  scales  on 
the  anterior  portion  of  the  body  are  quite  small ;  they  increase  in  size  towards  the 
posterior  portion,  and  back  of  the  dorsal  fin  are  much  larger ;  they  exhibit  at  their 
exposed  extremity  a  few  very  distinct  longitudinal  strise,  which  are  crossed  by  minute 
concentric  lines  ;  more  numerous  longitudinal  stria3  are  seen  at  the  concealed  extremity, 
which  is  rounded  at  its  centre. 

Head  naked ;  its  length  is  rather  less  than  one  fifth  the  length  of  the  body.  A  series 
of  mucous  pores  extends  across  the  occiput  to  the  gill-covers  on  each  side,  and  from 
the  termination  of  this  series  a  second  passes  forward  to  the  posterior  superior  angle 
of  the  eye,  downward  back  of  the  eyes,  then  curves  forward  and  is  lost  about  the  snout. 
Another  series  passes  forward,  from  the  occipital  series  between  the  eyes,  which 
extends  to  the  snout.  Eyes  moderate  in  size,  oblong  ;  distance  between  the  eyes  equal 
to  less  than  one  third  the  length  of  the  head.  Mouth  small,  very  protractile,  lips 
carunculated.  Lower  lip  bilobate.  Nostrils  double,  the  anterior  quite  small,  the 
posterior  much  the  larger  and  partially  covered  by  a  fleshy  valve.  The  lateral  line, 
which  seems  to  be  a  continuation  of  the  series  of  mucous  ducts  upon  the  head, 


HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS.  291 

commences  at  the  posterior  superior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and,  curving  downwards 
and  backwards  a  few  scales,  pursues  a  straight  course  to  the  tail. 
y'^The  dorsal   fin  is    subquadrangular ;    it  arises  at   the   middle   of  the   body,   not 
including  the  caudal  fin.     The  first  rays  are  simple. 

The  pectorals  are  just  back  of  the  inferior  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum ;  their 
.height  is  less  than  the  length  of  the  head. 

The  ventrals  are  situated  beneath  the  middle  of  the  dorsal  fin ;  they  are  as  high  as 
the  pectorals. 

The  anal  fin  is  equal  in  height  to  the  pectorals;  it  is  rounded  when  expanded. 
The  first  two  rays  are  simple;  the  others  are  branched;  the  posterior  rays  are  the 
shortest. 

The  caudal  fin  is  deeply  lunated ;  the  rays  are  articulated. 
The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  —  D.  14-16.     P.  18.     V.  10.     A.  9.     C.  18. 
Length,  fifteen  inches. 

Remarks.  During  the  spring  and  autumn  this  species  is  frequently  met  with  in 
Boston  market,  and  in  a  mild  winter  they  may  be  found  there  at  almost  any  time. 
They  are  most  commonly  brought  here  from  Charles  River,  Watertown ;  and  sometimes 
attain  the  weight  of  five  pounds.  They  are  of  but  little  value.  Occasionally  they  are 
brought  into  the  city  by  the  cart-load,  and  sold  as  the  Mullet. 

New  Hampshire,  PECK.  Massachusetts,  LESUEUR,  STORER.  New  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, CUVIER. 

CATOSTOMUS  GIBBOSUS,  Lesueur. 
The  Chub  Sucker. 
(PLATE  XXII.  FIG.  4.) 

Catostomus  gibbosus,  Chub  Sucker,  LESUEUR,  Journ.  Acad.  Nat.  Sc.,  I.  p.  92,  fig. 

"  "       Gibbous  Sucker,  STORER,  Report,  p.  88. 

"  "      Cuv.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  xvii.  p.  443. 

"  "      STORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  420. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  168. 

Ldbeo  gibbosus,  Gibbous  Chub  Sucker,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  194,  pi.  32,  fig.  101. 
Catostomus  tuberculatus,  LESUEUR,  Journ.  Acad.  Nat.  Sc.,  i.  p.  92,  fig. 

"  "  STORER,  Report,  p.  85. 

«  "  Horned  Sucker,  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  199,  pi.  31,  fig.  97. 

"  "  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  xvn.  p.  444. 

Color.     The  back  and  upper  portion  of  the  sides  of  this  species,  when  first  caught, 


292  HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

are  of  a  dark-brown,  which,  after  death,  changes  to  a  greenish  hue.  Head  of  a  dark 
slate-color  above  ;  opercula,  a  pale  dull  yellow.  Sides  of  a  greenish-yellow,  with  golden 
reflections.  Abdomen  in  front  of  ventrals  nearly  white,  towards  anal  fin  slightly 
pinkish.  Body  marked  with  four  or  five  faint  transverse  bands.  Dorsal  and  caudal 
fins  color  of  the  back.  Pectorals  and  ventrals  reddish,  edged  with  dark-brown.  Anal 
fin  in  some  individuals  color  of  pectorals  and  ventrals,  in  other  specimens  of  a  bluish 
or  purplish  brown. 

Description.  Body  compressed  laterally,  convex  in  front  of  dorsal  fin ;  this  con- 
vexity commences  suddenly  at  the  occiput,  and  is  greatest  at  the  origin  of  the  dorsal. 
Greatest  depth  of  fish  equal  to  about  one  fourth  its  length.  Scales  with  very  distinct 
striae ;  when  plucked  from  the  fish,  they  are  quadrangular  and  exhibit  concentric 
lines  passing  across  the  striae ;  exceedingly  delicate  concentric  lines  are  seen  over  the 
entire  scale.  The  head,  which  is  smooth,  is  less  than  one  fifth  the  length  of  the  fish. 
Snout  short,  rounded.  Eyes  moderate.  Nostrils  double,  separated  by  a  loose  mem- 
brane, the  posterior  the  larger.  Mouth  small,  lunated.  At  some  seasons  of  the  year, 
between  the  eyes  and  snout  on  each  side  of  the  head  are  four  prominent  spines  having 
broad  fleshy  bases ;  the  upper  anterior  prominences  the  largest,  and  the  tipper 
posterior  the  smallest.  Beneath  the  first  spine  a  smaller  one  is  seen ;  and  directly 
back  of  it  a  third  nearly  as  large  as  the  first.  These  first  three  form  a  triangle.  Just 
above  the  third  prominence  and  in  front  of  the  upper  anterior  angle  of  the  eye,  and 
between  the  nostrils  and  the  eye,  is  a  fourth  prominence  smaller  than  the  others.  In 
some  individuals,  the  spinous  parts  are  removed  and  the  bases  remain  as  hard  tubercles ; 
sometimes  the  bases  themselves  are  removed,  and  while  the  points  from  which  they  were 
thrown  oif  in  some  specimens  are  scarcely  perceptible,  in  others  a  distinct  excavation 
is  seen.  Sometimes  one  or  more  tubercles  are  missing  in  the  same  individual.  Dekay 
remarks  that  this  species  has  "  three  to  five  tubercles  on  each  side."  I  have  never  met 
with  more  than  four. 

The  quadrangular  dorsal  fin  commences  upon  the  anterior  half  of  the  body. 

The  pectorals  arise  just  back  of  the  posterior  inferior  angle  of  the  operculum ;  they 
are  rounded  when  expanded. 

The  ventrals,  which  are  very  nearly  as  high  as  the  pectorals,  are  situated  opposite  the 
anterior  half  of  the  dorsal  fin. 

The  anal  fin  is  deeply  emarginate ;  its  third  and  fourth  rays  are  the  longest. 

The  lower  lobe  of  the  caudal  fin  is  slightly  longer  than  the  upper. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  — ,D.  16.     P.  16.     V.  9.     A.  10.     C.  18. 

Length,  seven  to  twelve  inches. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS.  293 

Remarks.  This  species,  which  is  known  under  the  name  of  "  Barbel  "  and  "  Chub 
Sucker,"  is  found  in  many  of  the  ponds  throughout  the  State. 

Massachusetts,  LESUEUR,  STORER.  New  Hampshire,  Connecticut,  New  Jersey, 
DEKAY.  Pennsylvania,  LESUEUR. 


FAMILY  XIII.     CYPKINODONTID^E. 

The  mouth  is  constructed  upon  the  same  plan  as  in  the  Cyprinidse ;  but  there  are 
teeth  upon  the  jaws.  Instead  of  a  pharyngeal  arch,  bearing  recurved  and  hooked 
teeth,  the  Cyprinodonts  have  the  surface  of  the  posterior  portion  of  the  hyoidal 
apparatus  paved  with  short  teeth ;  and  opposite  to  the  latter,  in  the  back  part  of  the 
roof  of  the  mouth,  there  are  patches  of  velvet-like  teeth.  There  are  neither  vomerine 
nor  palatine  teeth.  The  upper  surface  of  the  head  is  generally  covered  with  scales  to 
the  tip  of  the  snout.  The  dorsal  fin,  in  most  instances,  is  situated  upon  the  posterior 
half  of  the  body,  and  opposite  the  anal  fin. 

GENUS  I.     FUNDULUS,  LACEP. 

Upper  surface  of  head,  structure  of  mouth,  and  maxillary  teeth  similar  to  the  same 
parts  in  Hydrargyra.  Lower  pharyngeal  teeth  sub-conical,  more  slender  than  in  the 
latter.  Branchial  rays  five  on  either  side.  .Dorsal  similarly  opposed  to  the  anal. 
Caudal  posteriorly  rounded.  Upper  surface  and  sides  of  head  covered  with  scales  as 
in  Hydrargyra, 

The  genera  Fundulus  and  Hydrargyra  are  closely  allied.  The  chief  differences  are, 
a  more  flattened  head  in  Hydrargyra,  giving  it  some  resemblance  to  Poecilia  or 
Molinesia ;  six  branchial  rays  instead  of  five ;  the  pharyngeal  teeth  shorter  and 
stouter,  with  a  more  conspicuous  crown.  Finally,  the  caudal  is  sub-truncated 
posteriorly,  instead  of  being  rounded  as  in  Fundulus,  —  a  character,  however,  of  minor 
importance,  since  we  find  in  the  same  family  genera  including  species  with  a  rounded, 
and  others  with  a  truncated,  caudal  fin. 


294  HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES   OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

FuNDULUS   PISCULENTUS,    CuV.  et  Vttl. 

The  Ornamented  Minnow. 
(PLATE  XXIII.  FIG.  3.  Male.     4.  Female.) 

Esox  pisculentus,  White-bellied  KiUifish,  MITCH.,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  T.,  i.  p.  441. 
Esox  pisciculus,  Yellow-bellied  KiUifish,  MITCH.,  Trans.  Lit,  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  441. 
Esox  zonatus,  Banded  KiUifish,  MITCH.,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  443. 
Fundulus  fasciatus,  VAL.,  in  Humboldt  and  Bonpland,  n.  p.  162,  pi.  62,  fig.  1,  4,  5. 
Fundulus  viridescens,  Big  KiUifish,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  217,  pi.  31,  fig.  99. 
Fundulus  zebra,  Barred  KiUifish,  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  218. 
Eydrargyra  pisculenta,  ATRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  ir.  p.  267. 
Hydrargyrafasciata,  ATEES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  266. 

"  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  11.  p.  432. 

"  "       Synopsis,  p.  180. 

Hydrargyra  ornata,  LESUEUR,  Jonrn.  Acad.  Nat.  Sc.,  I.  p.  131. 

"  Ornamented  Minnow,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  94. 

"  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  221. 

"  STOREK,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  433. 

"  "      Synopsis,  p.  181. 

Fundulus  pisculentus,  Cov.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  ZTIII.  p.  190. 

"  "        GIRARD,  in  Lit. 

Fundulus  zonatus,  Ccv.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  xvm.  p.  190. 

Color.     Female  of  a  uniform  brown  color. 

Male,  lighter  at  intervals  upon  the  sides,  the  appearance  being  presented  of  transverse 
bands.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins  with  black  dots.  Anal  fin  slightly  emarginated  posteriorly. 

Description.  Body  oblong,  stout,  compressed  posteriorly.  Top  of  head  and  back 
flattened.  Head  one  fourth  the  entire  length  of  the  fish.  Scales  upon  top  of  head 
very  large.  Diameter  of  eyes  equal  to  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  head.  Eyes 
distant  from  each  other.  A  series  of  mucous  pores  on  each  side  of  head  above  eyes, 
extending  also  in  front  of  eyes  to  the  anterior  inferior  edge ;  a  series  is  also  seen  along 
lower  edge  of  operculum.  The  nostrils  are  situated  just  in  front  of  the  anterior  superior 
edge  of  the  eye.  Mouth  protractile,  vertical  when  jaws  are  closed.  Very  minute, 
numerous  teeth  in  both  jaws. 

The  dorsal  fin  is  situated  upon  the  posterior  half  of  the  body ;  it  is  rounded  above. 

The  pectorals  are  broad  and  fan-shaped. 

The  anal  fin  is  situated  beneath  the  dorsal. 

The  ventrals  are  small,  their  rays  are  multifid. 

The  caudal  fin  is  broad,  rounded  posteriorly. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  12.     P.  15.     V.  6.     A.  9  -  10.     C.  20f. 

Length,  one  to  five  inches. 

Remarks.  This  is  the  most  common  Minnow  found  in  the  salt  marshes  around 
Boston,  and  is  known  generally  by  the  boys  under  the  name  of  Cobler.  It  is  taken  in 


HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  295 

large  quantities  with  hand  nets,  being  excellent  bait  for  other  fishes,  more  particu- 
larly for  Smelts. 

I  have  also  seen  a  flock  of  the  domestic  duck  swallowing  it  with  the  greatest 
avidity  when  thrown  to  them  in  the  same  manner  as  grain,  with  other  species  of 
Killifish. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  AYRES.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY. 
Delaware  river,  LESUEUR.  Carolina,  DEKAY. 

FUNDULUS    NIGROFASCIATUS,    CuV.    6t    Vdl. 

The  Banded  Minnow. 
(PLATE  XXIII.  FIG.  1.) 

Hydrargyra  nigrofasciata,  LESUEUR,  Journ.  Acad.  Nat.  Sc.,  i.  p.  133. 

"  "  Banded  Minnow,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  94. 

"  "  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  221. 

"  "  STOBEK,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  434. 

"  "  "      Synopsis,  p.  182. 

Fundulus  nigrofasdatus,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  xvni.  p.  193. 

"  "          GIRABD,  in  Lit. 

Color.  Above,  yellowish-green,  with  numerous  minute  black  dots ;  beneath,  silvery 
white.  From  ten  to  fourteen  narrow  black  bars  cross  the  sides  transversely ;  the 
anterior  pass  to  the  abdomen,  the  posterior  cross  the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail  entirely ; 
opercula  cupreous ;  a  yellow  spot  exists  at  the  origin  of  the  base  of  the  dorsal  fin. 
Pupils  black,  irides  silvery.  In  the  male  fish,  the  bars  are  broader. 

Description.  Head  compressed  above ;  its  length  is  equal  to  one  fourth  the  length 
of  the  fish.  The  eyes  are  small  and  circular.  The  distance  between  the  eyes  is  equal 
to  one  half  the  length  of  the  head.  Jaws  projectile. 

The  dorsal  fin  is  situated  upon  the  posterior  portion  of  the  body. 

The  pectorals  are  just  back  of  the  opercula. 

The  ventrals  are  very  small. 

The  anal  fin  is  similar  in  form  to  the  dorsal,  and  situated  opposite  that  fin. 

The  caudal  fin  is  slightly  rounded. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  12.     P.  18.     V.  6.     A.  12.     C.  17. 

Length,  two  to  three  inches. 

Remarks.  This  species  is  much  less  common  than  the  pisculentus.  It  is  found  in 
the  vicinity  of  Boston,  in  Fresh  Pond,  Cambridge. 

Massachusetts,  STORER.     Rhode  Island,  LESUEUR. 


296  HISTORY   OF   THE   FISHES   OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

FUNDULUS   MULTIFASCIATUS,    CuV.  Ct  Vttl. 

The  Barred  Minnow. 

(PLATE  XXIII.  Fie.  2.) 

Hydrargyra  multifasciala,  LESCEUH,  Jonrn.  Acad.  Nat.  Sc.,  I.  p.  131. 

«  "  Barred  Minnow,  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  220. 

"  "  STOREE,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  433. 

"  "  "       Synopsis,  p.  181. 

Fundulus  multifasciatus,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  xvm.  p.  200. 

"  "          GIBAKD,  in  Lit. 

Color.  The  living  fish  is  of  an  olive  upon  its  whole  upper  portion;  the  sides  are 
lighter ;  the  lower  portion  of  the  opercles  silvery ;  the  throat  and  posterior  portion 
of  the  abdomen  are  of  a  bluish-gray  color ;  the  body  is  transversely  marked  with 
numerous  bluish  bands,  and  dotted  with  darker  minute  points ;  the  pupils  are  black, 
the  irides  silvery.  When  dead  this  species  changes  to  a  yellowish-green,  darker 
above ;  and  the  transverse  bands  are  scarcely  perceptible. 

Description.  Body  cylindrical  anteriorly,  more  compressed  posteriorly ;  dorsum 
slightly  convex  just  anterior  to  the  dorsal  fin ;  its  greatest  depth  equal  to  one  sixth  its 
length.  The  head  is  broad  and  flattened  above.  Its  length  is  greater  than  the 
greatest  depth  of  the  fish,  and  less  than  one  third  its  entire  length.  The  distance  be- 
tween the  eyes  is  equal  to  one  third  the  length  of  the  head.  The  eyes  are  large, 
somewhat  oblong.  The  jaws  are  equal,  and  are  armed  with  very  minute  teeth.  The 
nostrils  are  large,  and  are  situated  just  anterior  to  the  upper  edge  of  the  eyes. 

The  indistinct  lateral  line  is  nearly  straight. 

The  dorsal  fin,  which  is  quadrangular,  commences  upon  the  anterior  half  of  the  body. 

The  pectorals  are  fan-shaped,  and  are  equal  in  height  to  the  length  of  the  dorsal  fin. 
They  extend  just  beyond  the  origin  of  the  ventrals. 

The  ventrals  are  small ;  they  commence  on  a  line  with  the  posterior  extremity  of  the 
pectorals ;  their  third  ray  is  the  longest. 

The  anal  fin  is  shorter  than  the  dorsal,  and  terminates  just  in  front  of  the  posterior 
extremity  of  that  fin. 

The  caudal  fin  is  broad,  and  nearly  straight  at  its  termination. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  13  -  14.     P.  18.     V.  5.     A.  12  -  13.     C.  16. 

Remarks.  Professor  Agassiz  kindly  lent  me  a  specimen  of  this  fish  taken  at  Con- 
cord ;  and  a  second  taken  at  Lowell  has  been  sent  me  by  my  friend,  Mr.  Charles  Girard, 
of  the  Smithsonian  Institute,  to  whom  I  would  express  my  most  grateful  acknowl- 
edgments for  his  invaluable  aid  in  the  preparation  of  the  Cyprinidae  for  the  press. 

Massachusetts,  AGASSIZ,  GIRARD.     New  York,  LESUEUR. 


P1JWII. 


Tanpan.  (k    Sotvrel . 


Print,  "by  L.B.Bradfori  &.  Co 


l.BLENNIUS   SERPENTIUUS.StoTer.  2.GUNNELLUS   MUCRONATUS,  Cuv. 

3  .  & .  MACROCEPHALUS ,  Girard .  { .  ZOARCES  AN&UILLARIS  ,  Scorer. 


PI.  XVIII. 


Print,  liy    ff  I  Bradford  I 


1.  ANAHRHICUS  VOMERIHUS,  Agass.       2  .  LOPHIUS  AMERICANUS:Cuv.     3  .CHIROHECTES  LAEVIGATUS  Cuv. 


PL  XIX. 


A  Sonrel   on.  Stone  fr 


Tappan.  Sc    Bradford*    UtHT 


BATRACHUS  TAU  ,  Linn 


PI. XX. 


Print  V1..H   Bradford    4   Co. 


l.CTENOLABRUS  CERULEUS  Dekay.    2.  TAUTOGA  AMERICANA  .Belay.       3.PIMELODUS  ATRARlUS.Dekay. 


PIXXt 


3. 


Print   ty  L    H. Bradford     &    Co 


1 .  CYPRINUS  AURATUS ,  Lin .  2  .  1EUCOS01US  AMERICANUS ,  Girard 

3.HYPSOLEP1S  CORNUTUS.Cirard.  4-.  ARGYREUS  ATRO¥ASUS  ,Heck. 


Pl.XXII. 


Print. ly  L. H  Bradford  »   Co 


l.AR&YREUS  UASUTUS.&irsrd          <2 .  CHEILONEMUS   PULCHELLUS  , Girard. 
3.CATOSTOMUS    BOSTONIENSIS  ,  Lesueur.          4.  CATOSTOMUS    GIBBOSUS,  Lesueiir. 


P1IXIII 


, 


3. 


Print,  "by  L.H.  Bradford    &  Cn 


.  FUNDULUS     NICROFASCIATUS  ,   Cuv.  &  Yal  .          2.  F.  MULTIEASCIATUS  ,  Cuv  &.  Val 
3  a  4-.  F.PISCULENTUS  ,Cuv  ft  Val.        5  8c  6 .  HYDRARGYRA  FLAVULA,  Storer 


ON  THE  RINGS  OF  SATURN.  121 

an  accumulation  of  disturbances,  of  which  the  absence  of  inequalities  lessens  the  proba- 
bility, bring  the  rings  together,  the  velocities  at  the  point  of  contact  will  be  very  nearly 
equal,  and  the  two  will  coalesce  without  disastrous  consequences. 

If  in  its  normal  condition  the  ring  has  but  one  division,  as  is  commonly  seen,  under 
peculiar  circumstances  it  might  be  anticipated  that  the  preservation  of  their  equilibrium 
would  require  a  separation  in  some  regions  of  either  the  inner  or  outer  ring ;  this  would 
explain  the  fact  of  occasional  subdivisions  being  seen.  Their  being  visible  for  but  a  short 
time,  and  then  disappearing,  to  the  most  powerful  telescopes,  is  accounted  for  by  the  re- 
moval of  the  sources  of  disturbance,  when  the  parts  thrown  off  would  reunite. 

Finally,  for  a  fluid  ring,  symmetrical  in  its  dimensions,  there  is  not  the  same  neces- 
sity for  a  state  of  unstable  equilibrium,  with  reference  either  to  Saturn  or  to  the  other 
rings,  which  obtains  in  the  case  of  a  rigid  coherence  of  its  particles. 


VOL.  V.    NEW  SERIES.  18 


VIII. 

A  History  of  the  Fishes  of  Massachusetts. 
BY  DAVID   HUMPHREYS   STOKER,  M.  D.,  A.  A.  S. 


Continued  from  page  92. 


OTOLITHUS  REGALIS,  Cuv. 
The  Weak-fish. 

(PLATE  IX.  FIG.  1.) 

Johnius  regalis,  SCHK. 

Labrus  squeteague,  Weak-jish,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  396,  pi.  2,  fig.  6. 

L'Otolithe  royal  (Otolithus  regalis,  Cuv.,  Johnius  regalis,  SCHN.,  Looms  sgueteague,MiTCS.),  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  v.  p.  67. 

Sciana  (Otolithus)  regalis,  Sgueteague,  RICH.,  Faun.  Boreal.  Americ.,  in.  p.  68. 

Otolithus  regalis,  Weak-Jlsh,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  33. 

"  "  "        ATKES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  259. 

"  "  "        DEKAT,  Report,  p.  71,  pi.  8,  fig.  24. 

"          "  "        LINSLEY,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

"          "  "        STOEEB,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  318. 

"          "  "        SIOREK,  Synopsis,  p.  66. 

Color.  The  upper  part  of  the  body  is  of  a  bluish  color,  with  irregularly  distributed 
brownish  spots.  Sides  silvery.  Abdomen  white.  Pupils  black ;  irides  yellow.  Dorsals, 
pectorals,  and  caudal  fin  brownish.  Ventrals  and  anal  orange. 

Description.  Body  elongated,  compressed.  The  length  of  the  head  is  equal  to  one 
fourth  the  whole  length  of  the  fish ;  it  is  flattened  between  the  eyes,  and  slightly  convex 
back  of  them.  The  eyes  are  large  and  horizontally  oblong,  and  about  one  seventh  the 
length  of  the  head.  The  nostrils  are  situated  directly  in  front  of  the  superior  anterior 
angle  of  the  eye  ;  —  the  posterior  the  larger,  a  vertical  slit ;  the  anterior  circular.  Mouth 
large.  The  lower  jaw  the  longer,  with  a  single  row  of  separated,  sharp  teeth  upon  its 
sides,  and  several  rows  of  smaller  teeth  at  its  centre.  The  sides  of  the  upper  jaw  are 
armed  with  very  minute  teeth ;  somewhat  larger  teeth  are  observed  at  its  centre,  in 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  123 

the  midst  of  which  are  situated  two  strong,  incurved  fangs.     Minute   teeth  in   the 
pharynx. 

The  lateral  line  arches  backwards  until  opposite  the  posterior  termination  of  the  second 
dorsal  fin,  whence  it  pursues  a  straight  course  to  the  extremities  of  the  caudal  rays. 

The  triangular  first  dorsal  fin  commences  just  back  of  the  origin  of  the  pectorals  ;  its 
third  and  fourth  rays  are  longest. 

The  second  dorsal  is  elongated,  and  diminishes  in  height  posteriorly ;  it  terminates  on 
a  line  with  the  anal  fin. 

The  pectoral  fins  arise  just  beneath  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and  extend 
beyond  the  middle  of  the  first  dorsal. 

The  ventral  fins  commence  posterior  to  the  base  of  the  pectorals,  and  terminate  on  a 
line  with  the  tips  of  those  fins. 

The  anal  fin  is  short  and  quadrangular. 

The  caudal  fin  is  somewhat  emarginated. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  8- 1  -28.  P.  15.  V.  6.  A.  13.  C.  17.  Length 
one  to  two  feet. 

Remarks.  Many  years  since,  this  species  was  found  in  abundance  about  Nantucket 
and  Martha's  Vineyard,  but  of  late  it  has  disappeared.  Dr.  Yale  wrote  me,  in  October, 
1 837,  "  The  squeteague  has  deserted  these  waters ;  there  has  not  been  one  taken  for 
three  or  four  years  about  here  ;  they  left  about  the  time  that  the  blue-fish  came."  Hon. 
Hezekiah  Barnard,  of  Nantucket,  in  a  letter  to  me,  dated  July,  1838,  remarked,  "The 
squeteague  or  weak-fish  have  disappeared  since  the  return  of  the  blue-fish,  who  are  their 
avowed  enemy.  I  have  conversed  with  our  fishermen ;  they  say  they  have  scarce  seen 
one  for  six  years." 

On  the  23d  of  June,  1847,  a  squeteague  was  taken  at  Provincetown,  the  first  known 
to  have  been  taken  there  for  twenty  years. 

Bay  of  Chaleur,  Lieut. -Col.  HAMILTON  SMITH.  Massachusetts,  STOKER.  New  York, 
MITCHILL,  DEKAY.  Caribbean  Sea,  CUVIER. 

GENUS  II.     UMBRINA,  Cuv. 

Distinguished  from  the  Scienoids  by  a  cirrhus  under  the  symphysis  of  the  low- 
er jaw. 


124  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

UMBRINA  NEBULOSA,  Storer. 

k 

The  King-fish. 
(PLATE  IX.  FIG.  4.) 

Scmna  nebitlosa,  King-fish,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.T.,  I.  p.  408,  pi.  3,  fig.  5. 

L'Ombrine  des  Etats  Unis  (Umbrina  alburnus,  Cuv.,  Scmna  nebulosa,  MITCH.,  Perca  alburnus,  LIN.,  Centropomus  albur- 

nus,  LACEP.),  Cnv.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  des  Poiss.,  v.  p.  180. 
Umbrina  nebulosa,  King-fish,  STOREK,  Report,  p.  35. 

"         AYBES,  Bost.  Jonrn.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  259. 
"         LINSLET,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 
Umbrina  alburnus,  King-fish,  DEKAY,  Eeport,  p.  78,  pi.  7,  fig.  20. 

"         STOEEB,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  II.  p.  323. 
"  "         STOBEK,  Synopsis,  p.  71. 

Color.  Of  a  dull  gray  color,  with  silvery  reflections  upon  sides,  ornamented  with 
irregularly  disposed  dark  bars;  some  passing  obliquely  forwards  from  the  dorsal  fin; 
others  passing  obliquely  backwards  from  nape  of  neck ;  and  one  broader  one  pursues  a 
straight  course  backwards  through  the  middle  of  the  body,  from  extremity  of  pectorals 
to  the  tail.  Body  beneath,  yellowish.  Extremities  of  first  dorsal,  pectorals,  and  tips  of 
ventrals,  white ;  rays  black ;  second  dorsal  and  base  of  pectorals  and  ventrals  color  of 
abdomen. 

Description.  Body  elongated,  slightly  arched  over  pectorals,  gradually  tapering 
towards  tail.  Length  of  head,  which  is  the  same  as  the  greatest  depth  of  the  body, 
equal  to  one  fifth  the  entire  length  of  the  fish.  Scales  upon  the  head  smaller  than  those 
upon  the  body ;  head  slightly  flattened  between  eyes ;  rounded  upon  occiput ;  somewhat 
depressed  back  of  snout.  Snout  blunted,  projecting  slightly  beyond  upper  jaw.  Eyes 
of  moderate  size ;  the  greatest  diameter  equal  to  half  the  distance  between  eyes.  Nos- 
trils directly  in  front  of  eyes ;  the  posterior  larger,  situated  obliquely  beneath  and  in 
front  of  the  anterior  inferior  angle  of  eye ;  at  the  anterior  inferior  angle  of  this  orifice  is 
situated  the  anterior  nostril,  which  is  very  small  and  circular.  Mouth  of  moderate  size, 
projectile ;  lips  fleshy ;  jaws  filled  with  numerous  very  small  card-like  teeth,  the  front 
row  in  the  upper  jaw  the  longest ;  upper  jaw  the  longer ;  a  small  fleshy  cirrhus  is  sus- 
pended from  the  chin.  Preoperculum  serrated  at  its  posterior  margin ;  more  sparsely  so 
beneath.  A  small,  concealed,  delicate  spinous  point  is  observed  at  posterior  portion  of 
operculum.  Lateral  line  very  distinct,  curving  with  the  body. 

The  triangular  dorsal  fin  arises  just  back  of  the  pectorals ;  its  first  ray  is  a  minute 
spine ;  the  third  ray  is  much  the  longest  of  all ;  this  ray  is  nearly  twice  as  high  as  the 
length  of  the  fin,  and  nearly  three  tenths  the  length  of  the  fish.  The  extremities  of  the 
rays  are  free,  like  those  of  the  other  fins. 

The  height  of  the  second  dorsal,  which  is  equal  throughout,  is  one  sixth  of  its  length. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  125 

The  length  of  the  pectorals  is  less  than  one  third  their  height. 

The  ventrals  arise  in  front  of  the  posterior  half  of  the  pectorals ;  extremities  multifid  ; 
first  ray  stoutest. 

The  caudal  is  deeply  emarginated;  the  upper  lobe  pointed,  the  lower  broad  and 
rounded  at  extremities ;  about  as  high  as  long. 

The  fin  rays  are  D.  10-26.     P.  21.     V.  5.     A.  10.     C.  18. 
orD.    9-26.     P.  19.     V.  5.     A.  10.     C.  17. 

Length  sixteen  and  a  half  inches. 

Remarks.  In  my  "Report  on  the  Fishes  of  Massachusetts,"  published  in  1839, 1  admit- 
ted this  species  under  the  name  of  Umbrina  nebulosa.  As  Dekay,  in  his  "Report  on 
the  Fishes  of  New  York,"  published  in  1842,  accepted  the  opinion  of  Cuvier,  that  it  was 
identical  with  the  Perca  alburnus  of  Linnaeus,  I  felt  in  a  measure  compelled  to  coincide ; 
and  consequently  in  my  "  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  North  America  "  I  introduced  it  as 
the  Umbrina  alburnus.  Convinced  that  our  species  is  distinct  from  the  Southern  fish, 
I  have  resumed  my  former  opinion. 

This  species  must  be  very  rare  in  our  waters.  The  specimen  belonging  to  the  Natu- 
ral History  Society  of  this  city  was  captured  in  a  lobster-pot  at  the  Boston  light-house, 
previous  to  the  year  1833.  In  1840,  a  specimen  was  taken  at  Lynn,  and  was  referred 
to  by  me  in  the  Journal  of  the  Natural  History  Society.  In  July,  1846,  Captain 
Atwood  caught  one  at  Provincetown  ;  and  in  November,  1847,  a  second  specimen 
at  the  same  place.  Both  of  these  latter  specimens  were  taken  in  nets,  while  fishing  for 
mackerel.  These  are  all  of  which  I  have  any  knowledge. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  AYRES,  LINSLEY.  New  York,  MITCHILL, 
DEKAY. 

FAMILY  IV.     SPARIDJE. 

This  family  is  characterized  by  the  opercular  pieces  being  unarmed ;  the  palate  tooth- 
less ;  the  jaws  not  protractile  ;  scales  large.  Branchial  rays  not  exceeding  six. 


GENUS  I.    SARGUS,  Cuv. 

Trenchant  incisors  in  front  of  the  jaws,   almost  similar  to  those  of  man ;   molars 
rounded. 


126  HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

SARGUS  ovis,  Cuv. 

The  Sheep's-head. 

(PLATE  X.  FIG.  1.) 

Sparus  ovis,  Sheep's-head,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  392,  pi.  2,  fig.  5. 

Le  Sargue  t&te-de-mouton  (Sargus  ovis,  Cuv.,  Spams  ovis,  MITCH.),  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  dcs  Poiss  ,  VI.  p.  53. 

Sargus  ovis,  Slieep's-head,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  36. 

"        "  "  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  89,  pi.  8,  fig.  23. 

"        "  "  ATBES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  260. 

"        "  STOREK,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  332. 

"        "  STORER,  Synopsis,  p.  80. 

Color.  Light  gray,  with  six  quite  distinct,  dark-brown,  transverse  bands,  broad  and 
nearly  equidistant  from  each  other ;  another  band  across  neck,  over  shoulders.  Head 
above  darker ;  orbits  greenish  ;  gill-covers  with  silvery  and  golden  reflections.  Throat 
somewhat  reddish.  Pupils  black,  irides  golden.  Scales  throughout  body  margined 
with  darker  than  their  centre.  Fin  membranes  dark  brown  or  black,  save  that  of  pecto- 
rals, which  is  nearly  colorless. 

Description.  Body  short,  stout.  Back  rounded,  slightly  elliptical.  Head  hardly  pro- 
jecting, about  one  fourth  the  length  of  fish ;  its  depth  about  five  sevenths  its  greatest 
depth;  its  width  between  eyes  about  two  fifths  its  length.  Posterior  and  upper  part  of 
head  scaled,  the  rest  naked.  Lips  large  and  fleshy  ;  jaws  equal,  armed  in  front  with  large, 
stout,  quadrangular  teeth,  the  outer  of  which  are  somewhat  curved  inward  ;  these  teeth 
in  the  upper  jaw  slightly  overlap  those  of  the  lower;  within  and  behind  these  are  several 
rows  of  teeth,  rounded  or  obtusely  conical.  Eyes  large,  their  diameter  nearly  equal  to 
half  the  distance  between  them ;  just  above  and  in  front  of  them  the  orbitar  ridge  is 
quite  prominent.  Nostrils  high  up  in  head,  anterior  to  eye,  double,  the  posterior  an  elon- 
gated slit  opening  backwards.  Head  anteriorly  abounding  in  mucous  pores.  Posterior 
opercular  margin  sinuous.  Scales  upon  body  generally  very  large,  although  in  some 
places  their  size  is  greatly  diminished,  as  upon  top  of  head,  the  throat,  and  the  bases  of  all 
the  fins  save  the  anterior  three  quarters  of  the  dorsal.  Lateral  line  commences  high  over 
pectorals,  and,  curving  upwards  at  first  rather  more  than  the  line  of  body,  gradually  be- 
comes parallel  to  it  until  it  reaches  a  line  with  termination  of  dorsal  and  anal,  whence  it 
runs  straight  to  middle  of  caudal ;  its  scales  present  dark  ramifications,  which  appear- 
ance is  also  found  upon  the  scales  bordering  a  triangular  space  on  top  of  head. 

The  first  twelve  rays  of  dorsal  fin  are  strongly  spinous;  of  these  the  alternate  rays  are 
much  larger  than  their  neighbors.  The  first  five  of  these  rays  gradually  increase  in 
length ;  the  remaining  seven  are  about  equal.  The  rest  of  the  fin  increases  in  height, 
giving  its  termination  a  peculiar  truncated  appearance.  Behind  and  beneath  the  base  of 
the  fin,  as  well  as  at  termination  of  anal,  is  a  deep  emargination. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  127 

Pectorals  very  much  elongated ;  the  rays  of  first  half  are  simple,  the  others  branched. 

Ventrals  stout,  subtriangular ;  at  their  base  a  strong  spinous  process,  covered  with 
scales,  connected  along  its  edge  by  several  membranous  attachments.  The  first  ray 
is  spinous. 

The  anal  shuts  anteriorly  into  a  deep  groove,  as  does  also  the  dorsal.  Its  first  three 
rays  are  spinous ;  the  second  is  much  the  largest. 

Caudal  slightly  truncated ;  the  interspaces  between  its  rays  are  well  scaled  at  first. 

D.  12-12.     P.  16.     V.  1-6.     A.  3-2.     C.  22.     Length  twenty  inches. 

Remarks.  This  delicious  fish,  which  has  been  so  minutely  described  and  so  highly 
eulogized  by  Mitchill,  in  his  "History  of  the  Fishes  of  New  York,"  is  occasionally  taken 
in  the  waters  of  Massachusetts  south  of  Cape  Cod.  Thomas  A.  Greene,  Esq.  of  New 
Bedford,  informs  me  it  is  sometimes  sold  in  that  market  from  the  above-noticed  locality. 
Dr.  Mitchill  speaks  of  it  "  as  the  most  esteemed  of  the  New  York  fishes,  and  fetching 
a  higher  price  than  any,  excepting,  perhaps,  fresh  salmon  and  trout";  and  Dekay  re- 
marks, "The  sheep's-head  hqlds  the  same  rank  with  American  gastronomes  that  the 
turbot  holds  in  Europe.  I  have  frequently  eaten  of  both,  under  equally  favorable 
conditions,  that  is  to  say,  within  an  hour  after  having  been  taken  from  the  water,  and 
can  assert  that  the  sheep's-head  is  the  more  delicate  and  savory  fish." 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  AYRES.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER,  DE- 
KAY.  Lake  Pontchartrain,  Louisiana,  LESUEUR. 

GENUS  II.    PAGRUS,  Cuv. 
But  two  rows  of  small,  rounded  molar  teeth  in  each  jaw. 

PAGRUS  ARGYROPS,  Cuv. 
The  Scapaug. 

(PLATE  X.  FIG.  4.) 

Sparus  argyrops,  LIN.,  Syst.  Nat.,  GMEL.,  p.  1277. 

"  "        Silver-eyed  Sparus,  SHAW,  Gen.  Zool.,  iv.  p.  426. 

Labrus  versicolor,  Big  Porgee  of  New  York,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  404,  pi.  3,  fig.  7. 
Le  Pagre  ceil-cTargent,  Pagrus  argyrops,  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  VI.  p.  164. 

"        Big  Porgee,  Scapaug,  Scup,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  38. 

"  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  95,  pi.  9,  fig.  25. 

"  "        LINSLET,  Cat.  of  Fishes  of  Conn. 

Porgee,  AYRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  IV.  p.  260. 
"        STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  334. 
"        STOKER,  Synopsis,  p.  82. 

Color.     When  just  caught,  this  fish  is  of  a  beautiful  pinkish  tinge  or  flesh-color  upon 
the  upper  portion  of  the  sides ;   abdomen  silvery.     The  naked  portion  of  the  head,  be- 


128  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

tween,  anterior,  and  posterior  to  the  eyes,  reddish.  At  the  base  of  the  dorsal  fin  on  each 
side  is  a  narrow  green  ridge ;  also  a  similar  ridge  just  back  of  the  eyes.  Pupils  black ; 
irides  silvery,  with  the  exception  of  the  upper  middle  portion,  which  is  brown  or  cupre- 
ous. The  dorsal  fin  is  reddish,  with  the  bodies  of  the  anterior  rays  silvery  white.  Pec- 
torals with  a  slight  tinge  of  red,  greenish  at  their  base  beneath.  Ventrals  of  a  greenish 
tinge.  Anal  brownish,  margined  with  blue.  Caudal  reddish. 

Description.  The  length  of  this  species  is  from  eight  to  twelve  inches ;  the  length  of 
the  head  is  about  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  entire  fish  ;  the  depth  of  the  body  across 
from  the  base  of  the  pectorals  is  equal  to  rather  more  than  one  third  its  length  ;  the 
width  of  the  body  at  the  base  of  the  tail  is  equal  to  one  tenth  its  length.  Body  very 
much  compressed  towards  the  back ;  back  gibbous,  gradually  curving  towards  the  tail. 
The  eyes  are  large  and  circular.  The  jaws  when  closed  are  equal.  In  the  back  of  the 
jaws  are  two  rows  of  blunt  teeth ;  those  in  front  of  the  jaws  are  sharp  and  prominent. 
The  lips  are  large  and  loose.  The  nostrils  are  double ;  the  anterior  is  smaller  and  circu- 
lar, the  posterior  larger  and  vertical.  The  head  is  destitute  of  scales.  The  preoperculum 
and  operculum  are  covered  with  scales.  A  large  semicircular  scale  is  observed  at  the 
commencement  of  the  lateral  line  ;  between  this  scale  and  the  outer  angle  of  the  naked 
space  at  the  posterior  angle  of  the  eye,  a  band  of  smaller  scales  than  those  of  the  body 
passes  obliquely  upwards  to  the  anterior  portion  of  the  dorsal  ridge.  The  lateral  line, 
commencing  back  of  the  upper  angle  of  the  operculum,  and  passing  obliquely  up  to  a 
point  on  a  line  with  the  fifth  or  sixth  spine  of  the  dorsal  fin,  curves  with  the  body  to  the 
base  of  the  tail. 

The  dorsal  fin  is  received  into  a  deep  groove  at  its  base ;  when  this  fin  is  not  erect, 
the  spines  are  scarcely  visible,  so  completely  do  they  shut  into  this  groove.  The  third 
spine  is  the  longest ;  from  the  extremities  of  the  first  three  spines  are  suspended  delicate 
filaments.  Just  anterior  to  the  dorsal  fin  is  situated  a  strong  horizontal  spine,  almost  en- 
tirely enveloped  by  the  skin,  which  projects  forwards. 

The  pectoral  fins  commence  on  a  line  beneath  the  origin  of  the  dorsal  fin ;  they  are 
one  fourth  the  length  of  the  body.. 

The  ventrals  are  just  back  of  the  pectorals;  their  second  and  third  rays  are  the  longest. 
A  large  subsidiary  scale  exists  at  the  anterior  edge. 

The  anal  fin  is  shorter  than  the  dorsal,  and  terminates  on  the  same  plane  with  that  fin, 
and  like  the  dorsal  is  received  into  a  groove  at  its  base. 

The  caudal  fin  is  quite  deeply  forked. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  12  - 12.     P.  15.     V.  6.     A.  3  -  1 1 .     C.  16|. 

Length  about  a  foot. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  129 

Remarks.  This  pretty  species,  which  is  known  as  the  Scup,  Porgee,  and  Scapaug,  is 
taken  in  large  quantities  in  Buzzard's  Bay  and  the  Vineyard  Sound ;  and  at  New  Bed- 
ford, Holmes's  Hole,  and  Gay  Head  it  is  one  of  the  most  common  fishes,  and  in  a  fresh 
state  is  used  more  than  any  other.  At  Holmes's  Hole  it  is  taken  from  the  first  of  June 
until  the  middle  of  October  with  the  hook ;  after  that  date,  in  the  ponds,  with  spears  and 
nets.  Within  a  few  years,  small  numbers  have  appeared  north  of  Cape  Cod,  and  are 
now  yearly  captured  at  Wellfleet  and  Sandwich. 

In  the  year  1834  or  1835,  Captain  William  C.  Downes,  of  Holmes's  Hole,  carried  a 
smack-load  of  this  species  from  the  Vineyard  Sound,  and  threw  them  overboard  in  Ply- 
mouth Harbor. 

Mr.  James  Newcomb,  fishmonger  in  the  Boston  Market,  informs  me  that  in  the  year 
1831  or  1832  a  smack-load  of  scapaugs  arrived  in  Boston  Harbor.  A  portion  of  them 
were  purchased  by  subscription  among  the  fishermen  in  the  market,  and  thrown  into  the 
harbor.  The  next  season  two  specimens  were  caught  from  our  wharves ;  in  the  summer 
of  1835,  one  individual  was  taken  at  Nahant,  and  was  considered  a  very  strange  fish,  no 
specimen  having  been  known  to  have  been  seen  there  before;  in  1836,  still  another  was 
captured  at  Nahant.  As  no  specimen  had  ever  been  taken  so  far  north  before,  and  as 
the  few  taken  would  lead  to  the  inference  that  those  which  had  been  transplanted  from 
Buzzard's  Bay  had  not  bred  in  the  cold  waters  of  this  portion  of  Massachusetts  Bay, 
we  are  led  to  believe  the  individuals  taken  immediately  around  Boston  were  of  the  num- 
ber of  those  originally  brought  from  the  South. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  AYRES.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER,  DE- 
KAY.  South  Carolina,  LINN^US. 

FAMILY  V.     SCOMBRID^E. 

The  fishes  of  this  family  have  small  scales,  so  that  the  greater  part  of  the  skin  appears 
as  if  entirely  smooth.  The  ventral  fins  are  destitute  of  scales  ;  the  opercula  are  without 
spines  or  denticulations ;  in  most  of  them  the  caudal  fin  is  large  and  powerful,  and  gen- 
erally they  are  furnished  with  numerous  cceca. 

GENUS  I.    SCOMBER,  Cuv. 

Body  fusiform,  covered  by  scales  which  are  uniformly  small ;  sides  of  the  tail  not  cari- 
nated,  but  merely  raised  into  two  small  cutaneous  crests ;  dorsal  fins  widely  separated ; 
some  of  the  posterior  rays  of  the  second  dorsal  and  anal  free,  forming  finlets ;  one  row 
of  small  conical  teeth  in  each  jaw. 

VOL.    T.    NEW    SERIES.  19 


130  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

SCOMBER  DEKAYI,  Storer. 

The  Spanish  Mackerel. 

(PLATE  XI.  FIG.  1.) 

Scomber  colias,  The  Spanish  Mackerel,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  45. 

"  "  "         DEKAY,  Report,  p.  104,  pi.  11,  fig.  23. 

"  "  "         STOKER,  Mera.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  it.  p.  341. 

STOKER,  Synopsis,  p.  89. 

Color.  The  upper  part  of  the  body  is  of  a  light-green  color,  with  numerous  contigu- 
ous beautifully  undulating  lines  of  a  darker  green  passing  down  the  sides  and  just  cross- 
ing the  lateral  line.  Beneath  the  lateral  line  is  an  interrupted  dull-brown  band,  arising 
beneath  the  pectorals  and  continued  in  a  straight  course  to  the  tail  ;  below  this  band  the 
sides  are  silvery,  with  numerous  irregularly  marked  blotches,  circular,  oval,  and  oblong. 
The  abdominal  ridge  is  immaculate ;  the  entire  sides  exhibit  cupreous  reflections.  The 
upper  portion  of  the  operculum  is  greenish,  with  cupreous  reflections ;  the  inferior  portion, 
as  well  as  the  preoperculum  and  jaws,  is  silvery.  The  first  dorsal  fin  is  transparent, 
slightly  dusky ;  the  pectorals  have  a  small  black  blotch  at  their  base,  within,  which  is 
scarcely  perceptible  unless  the  fins  are  raised ;  their  outer  base  is  silvery.  The  ven- 
trals  are  of  a  reddish  white.  The  caudal  fin  is  of  a  yellowish  green.  The  pupils  are 
black ;  the  irides  silvery.  The  mouth  is  fuliginous ;  the  tongue  is  greenish,  with  a  me- 
tallic tint. 

Description.  The  body  is  cylindrical,  very  plump,  tapering  towards  the  tail,  at  the 
origin  of  which  it  is  very  small.  The  greatest  depth  of  the  body  is  equal  to  rather  more 
than  one  sixth  its  length.  The  length  of  the  head  is  less  than  one  fourth  the  length  of 
the  body ;  it  is  flattened  upon  its  top,  compressed  upon  its  sides ;  the  snout  is  rather 
pointed.  The  eyes  are  large  and  circular ;  the  diameter  of  the  eyes  is  less  than  the  dis- 
tance between  them.  The  nostrils  are  double ;  the  anterior  is  circular,  in  front  of  pos- 
terior a  distance  equal  to  that  between  the  posterior  and  the  eye  ;  the  posterior  is  vertical, 
just  in  front  of  the  eyes.  The  jaws  are  equal,  crowded  by  a  single  row  of  very  minute 
teeth. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  arises  opposite  the  middle  of  the  pectoral  fins ;  its  first  ray  upon 
its  outer  edge  is  margined,  as  well  as  the  spaces  between  the  tips  of  the  rays,  with  black ; 
the  second  ray  is  the  longest ;  the  most  posterior  ray  is  exceedingly  minute.  The  tips  of 
all  the  rays  project  slightly  beyond  the  membrane. 

The  second  dorsal  fin  commences  back  of  the  first,  at  a  greater  distance  than  the 
length  of  the  first  dorsal.  This  fin  is  shorter  than  the  preceding ;  its  rays  are  short,  and 
enveloped  in  a  thick  membrane  emarginated  above  ;  the  extremities  of  the  rays  project 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  131 

slightly  beyond  the  membrane.     There  are  five  finlets  back  of  the  second  dorsal  fin  ;  the 
fifth  is  deeply  divided,  making  it  appear  like  two  finlets. 

The  pectorals  are  just  beneath  the  origin  of  the  lateral  line  ;  they  are  triangular,  and 
their  length  is  equal  to  the  height  of  the  first  dorsal  ray. 

The  ventrals  are  fan-shaped ;  they  are  situated  just  in  front  of  the  first  dorsal  fin : 
their  rays  are  multifid. 

The  anal  fin  arises  back  of  the  second  dorsal  fin,  and  like  it  is  emarginated  above,  and 
has  five  finlets  posterior  to  it.  A  small  spine,  projecting  backwards,  is  situated  at  the 
origin  of  the  anal  fin. 

The  caudal  fin  is  deeply  forked,  and  has  at  its  base  two  lateral  carinse. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  9  -  11  or  12.     P.  19.    V.  5.    A.  12  or  13.    C.  18|. 

Length,  one  to  two  feet. 

Remarks.  The  many  points  of  resemblance  to  the  Scomber  colias,  Gmel.  presented 
by  this  fish,  caused  me  to  consider  it  as  identical  with  that  species,  and  thus  I  described 
it  in  my  "  Report  on  the  Fishes  of  Massachusetts."  With  this  opinion  Dekay  coincided 
in  his  "Report  on  the  Fishes  of  New  York";  although  we  might  infer  that  he  was  not 
perfectly  convinced  of  our  species  being  the  foreign  fish,  from  the  following  sentence  at 
the  conclusion  of  his  description :  "  If  this  species  is  identical  with  the  S.  colias  of  Eu- 
rope, it  has  a  wide  geographical  range,"  &c.  Subsequent  investigation  has  convinced  me 
that  the  species  under  consideration  is  indigenous  to  the  American  coast.  It  differs  from 
the  S.  colias  in  its  more  robust  figure,  its  markings,  and  the  number  of  rays  in  the  first 
dorsal  fin.  I  know  of  no  other  species  for  which  it  can  be  mistaken.  With  a  melan- 
choly pleasure  I  would  dedicate  it  to  the  memory  of  the  lamented  naturalist  who  has  ac- 
complished so  much  for  the  science  of  our  country. 

This  fish  is  of  late  years  found  more  rarely  along  our  coast  than  formerly.  Captain  Blan- 
chard,  of  Lynn,  informs  me,  that  during  some  seasons  but  two  or  three  individuals  are 
taken  by  the  fishermen.  Captain  Atwood  has  seen  but  a  single  specimen  during  the 
last  four  or  five  years ;  many  years  since,  it  was  abundant  at  Provincetown,  and  would 
run  up  the  small  creeks,  and  be  left  by  the  tide.  This  fish  usually  weighs  about  three 
quarters  of  a  pound  ;  generally  speaking,  it  is  as  fat  as  the  Scomber  vernalis,  but  it  is 
not  considered  so  good  to  eat ;  by  epicures,  however,  it  is  thought  to  be  excellent,  even 
preferable  to  the  common  mackerel.  Dekay  states  that  he  has  seen  specimens  nearly 
two  feet  in  length  in  the  New  York  market. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     Connecticut,  LINSLEY.     New  York  to  Carolina,  DEKAY. 


132  HISTORY    OF   THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

SCOMBER  VERNALIS,  Mitchill. 
(PLATE  XI.  FIG.  2.) 

Scomber  vernalis,  Spring  Mackerel,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  423. 

Scomber  grex,  Thimble-eyed,  Bull-eyed,  or  Chub  Mackerel,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  422. 

Le  Maquereau  printanier  (Scomber  vernalis,  MITCH.),  CUT.  et  VAL.,  vm.  p.  48. 

Le petit  Maquereau  de  fAtlantique  (Scomber  grex,  MITCH.),  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  vm.  p.  45. 

Scomber  grex  et  vernalis,  Chub  and  Spring  Mackerel,  RICH.,  Fauna  Boreal.  Americ.,  HI.  p.  81. 

"  "  «  "  "  "  STOKER,  Report,  p.  41. 

Scomber  vernalis,  Spring  Mackerel,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  101. 
Scomber  grex,  Fall  Mackerel,  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  103,  pi.  11,  fig.  32. 
Scomber  vernalis  et  grex,  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  11.  p.  342. 

"          "          "          STOKEK,  Synopsis,  p.  90. 

Color.  Upper  part  of  the  body  of  a  dark-green  color,  marked  throughout  its  whole 
extent  from  the  occiput  to  the  tail  with  beautiful  transverse,  more  or  less  undulating, 
broken  bands,  of  a  deeper  hue,  commencing  on  the  sides  of  the  dorsal  ridge,  and  extend- 
ing downward  below  the  lateral  line.  Top  of  head  of  a  dark,  almost  black  color,  pro- 
duced by  longitudinal,  broad,  broken  bands,  passing  backwards  from  the  snout,  and  a 
large  black  blotch  extending  backwards  from  the  occiput  towards  the  gill-covers.  The 
portion  of  the  head  directly  back  of  the  eyes  cupreous.  Gill-covers  and  maxillary  bones 
silvery.  Intermaxillary  bones  dark-fuliginous,  as  well  as  the  tongue  and  inside  of  the 
jaws ;  angle  of  jaws  dusky.  Sides  white,  with  cupreous  reflections.  Abdomen  white. 
Beneath  the  lateral  line,  on  each  side,  is  a  fuliginous,  oftentimes  interrupted  line,  much 
wider  than  the  lateral  line,  arising  beneath  the  pectoral  fin,  and  traversing  the  length 
of  the  fish ;  the  space  between  these  two  lines  is  of  a  duller  color  than  the  side  be- 
neath. 

Description.  Body  elongated.  Length  of  head  almost  equal  to  one  sixth  of  the 
length  of  entire  fish.  Eyes  large,  circular,  their  diameter  equal  to  one  half  the  distance 
between  them  ;  pupils  black  ;  irides  silvery.  Eyes  protected  by  a  nictitating  membrane. 
Nostrils  circular.  Inferior  margin  of  preoperculum  marked  by  a  row  of  minute  mucous 
pores,  and  a  few  are  also  seen  on  the  posterior  margin.  Gape  of  mouth  moderate.  Jaws 
and  palatine  bones  armed  with  a  single  row  of  very  minute  teeth. 

The  very  narrow  lateral  line  commences  directly  back  of  the  humeral  bone,  on  a 
line  above  the  origin  of  the  pectoral  fin,  and  pursues  a  gently  undulatory  course  to  the 
base  of  the  tail :  this  line,  being  slightly  prominent,  is  very  distinct. 

The  first  dorsal  fin,  composed  of  strong  rays,  of  which  the  second  and  third  are  the 
longest,  arises  on  a  line  opposite  the  posterior  half  of  the  pectoral  fins  ;  in  some  speci- 
mens the  membrane  in  this  fin  reaches  to  the  top  of  the  rays,  in  others  the  extremities 
project  as  in  the  figure  ;  the  length  of  this  fin  is  hardly  greater  than  its  height.  When 
unexpanded,  it  is  entirely  concealed  in  a  groove  at  its  base. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  133 

The  second  dorsal,  situated  upon  the  posterior  half  of  the  head,  is  of  a  fuliginous  color, 
margined  with  white  ;  it  is  nearly  three  times  as  long  as  high  ;  back  of  this  second  dorsal, 
occupying  the  space  between  it  and  the  tail,  are  five  finlets,  the  fifth  of  which  is  usually 
the  largest. 

The  pectoral  fins,  of  a  dark  color,  having  at  their  base  beneath,  a  black  blotch,  arise 
back  of  the  upper  third  of  the  operculum.  Their  length  is  equal  to  about  one  third  their 
height. 

The  ventrals  arise  back  of  the  pectorals,  and  likewise  have  beneath  them  a  black  spot 
at  their  base ;  save  the  tinge  given  them  by  this  spot,  they  are  of  a  flesh  color  in  the 
fresh  fish,  but  soon  become  the  color  of  the  abdomen  after  death.  The  first  ray  is  very 
strong.  All  the  rays  are  subdivided  at  their  middle,  and  again  divided  into  smaller  por- 
tions at  their  extremities. 

The  anal  fin  arises  directly  back  of  the  anus,  which  is  situated  opposite  the  origin  of 
the  second  dorsal.  At  the  commencement  of  this  fin  is  a  short  spine  ;  this  fin  is  slightly 
shorter  than  the  second  dorsal,  and  is  of  the  same  color  as  the  abdomen.  Back  of  this  fin 
are  six  finlets ;  that  next  the  anal  fin  appearing  at  first  sight  to  be  a  portion  of  the  fin. 

At  the  base  of  the  caudal  fin  are  situated  two  longitudinal  carinae,  extending  the  whole 
length  of  the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail ;  the  outer  rays  of  the  caudal  fin  are  much  the 
larger ;  their  articulations  are  very  direct ;  the  fin  is  deeply  forked ;  its  extremities  are 
margined  with  white ;  the  distance  between  the  extremities  of  the  caudal  rays,  when 
expanded,  is  equal  to  the  length  of  the  head. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  10-12.     P.  17.     V.  5.     A.  12.     C.  20. 

Remarks.  Mitchill  described  the  mackerel  which  visit  our  shores  in  the  spring,  and 
those  which  are  taken  in  the  autumn,  as  distinct  species.  Dekay  coincides  with  him  in 
his  opinion.  In  my  "  Report  "  I  considered  them  as  one  species,  agreeing  with  Richard- 
son, who  observes  :  "  The  only  differences  between  S,  grex  and  vernalis  seem  to  be  in 
their  size  and  color,  and  they  are  very  probably  different  ages  of  the  same  species."  In 
my  "  Synopsis  "  I  reluctantly  yielded  my  opinion  to  that  of  Dekay,  and  described  the 
two  species.  Satisfied  that  my  early  impressions  were  correct,  I  again  unite  them, 
remarking,  as  in  my  "  Report,"  that  "  I  have  examined  with  much  care  the  mackerel 
which  are  brought  to  our  market,  and  the  differences  are  too  slight  between  them  to  con- 
stitute distinct  species." 

This  beautiful  species  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  fishes  which  frequents  our  waters. 
From  the  10th  of  May  to  the  15th  of  June,  they  appear  at  the  entrance  of  Massachusetts 
Bay,  having  been  a  few  days  previous  at  Nantucket  and  Vineyard  Sound.  Nine  tenths 
of  those  which  are  first  seen  are  males,  and  they  are  all  large,  but  poor,  weighing  from 


134  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

one  pound  to  a  pound  and  a  half  each.  After  they  have  been  cured,  and  made  ready  for 
inspection,  and  are  packed  for  the  third  quality,  one  hundred  and  fifty-four,  fifty-five,  or 
fifty-six  constitute  a  barrel.  At  their  first  appearance  they  will  not  take  the  hook,  and 
are  therefore  captured  in  nets.  The  fishermen  of  Provincetown  are  the  only  persons  in 
the  State  who  thus  take  them.  Their  nets  are  about  eighty  yards  long  and  eighteen 
feet  deep,  with  the  meshes  three  and  a  quarter  inches  long,  of  a  size  intermediate  be- 
tween a  herring  net  and  a  menhaden  net,  the  one  being  too  large  and  the  other  too  small. 
These  nets  are  suspended  vertically  in  the  water,  so  that  when  the  mackerel,  as  they 
swim  along,  endeavor  to  pass  through,  they  are  caught  by  the  gills  ;  or  should  they  be 
smaller  than  usual,  they  pass  their  heads  through,  and  are  caught  by  the  body. 

Most  of  the  fishermen  engaged  in  this  method  of  catching  mackerel  reside  at  that  por- 
tion of  Provincetown  called  Long  Point,  north  of  the  town  ;  and  it  is  exceedingly  inter- 
esting to  watch  them  in  their  laborious  and  successful  avocation.  The  following  notes  1 
took  upon  the  spot,  June  26,  1847  :  —  "Now  all  the  male  inhabitants  of  the  Point  are 
engaged  in  the  mackerel  fishery  ;  from  twenty  to  thirty  boats,  each  of  about  three  or 
four  tons  burden,  sail  at  four  or  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  having  all  their  nets,  vary- 
ing from  ten  to  fifteen  in  number,  carefully  dried  and  rolled  up  for  their  night's  fishing. 
Each  boat  has  two  persons  on  board,  one  to  manage  the  boat  while  the  other  takes 
charge  of  the  nets.  As  the  boats  sail  from  the  harbor,  the  scene  is  very  exciting,  all  leav- 
ing at  about  the  same  time,  and  doubling  the  point  upon  which  the  light-house  is  situated 
nearly  together.  (Occasionally  a  boat  arrives  late  in  the  morning  from  its  night's  fishing, 
or  is  detained  until  an  unusually  late  hour  in  the  afternoon,  by  its  nets  being  injured,  or 
by  the  unusually  large  quantity  of  fish  taken  the  previous  night,  and  then  it  does  not 
leave  the  harbor,  but  anchors  within  the  Point  ;  this,  however,  is  seldom  done,  as  but  few 
mackerel,  comparatively,  are  taken  here,  except  when  the  fish  first  arrive  upon  the  coast.) 
When  the,  extremity  of  the  Point  is  cleared,  the  boats  separate  from  each  other,  and  each 
skipper  fixes  upon  his  own  locality.  Some  of  the  boats  sail  but  a  few  miles,  perhaps  to 
the  extremity  of  Race  Point,  which  is  distant  four  or  five  miles  ;  while  others  go  nearly 
to  Plymouth,  and  others  scatter  all  over  the  bay.  The  farther  the  boat  sails,  the  later 
will  the  nets  be  thrown  overboard ;  because,  should  the  boats  go,  as  they  frequently  do, 
nearly  a  fourth  the  distance  to  Boston,  the  crew  will  not  be  able  to  get  them  overboard 
until  late  in  the  evening,  or  even  until  midnight ;  and  then,  wishing  to  return  as  early  in 
the  morning  as  the  other  boats,  they  will  necessarily  keep  them  out  but  a  few  hours. 
Having  thrown  over  their  nets,  the  fishermen  lie  down  in  their  little  cabins,  and  get  what 
sleep  they  can,  having  first  fixed  to  one  of  the  masts  of  their  boat  a  light,  to  prevent 
their  being  run  down  by  any  vessel  which  may  be  passing ;  and  some  of  the  fishermen, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS.  135 

in  stormy  nights,  hang  up  a  bell  in  their  rigging,  which  is  kept  ringing  by  the  motion  of 
the  boat.  About  daylight  in  the  morning  the  fishermen  draw  their  nets,  and  one  man 
continues  to  free  them  of  the  fishes  they  contain,  during  the  whole  time  the  boat  is  sail- 
ing homeward,  while  the  other  manages  the  boat.  Frequently  but  small  numbers  of 
other  species  are  taken  besides  the  mackerel,  while  at  other  times  the  nets  will  contain 
three  or  four  times  as  many  whiting  as  mackerel,  and,  as  the  former  are  worthless,  the 
duty  of  the  fisherman  is  very  laborious  and  irksome.  The  boats  arrive  early  in  the  morn- 
ing at  the  Point,  and  all  is  life  and  excitement.  '  How  many  fish  have  you  caught  ? ' 
is  the  universal  salutation ;  and,  before  they  sail  again  in  the  afternoon,  every  boat's  crew 
knows  exactly  how  many  have  been  taken  by  each  boat  during  the  previous  night.  As 
soon  as  the  boats  arrive,  the  fishermen  at  once  draw  their  nets  upon  the  shore,  free  them 
of  the  fish  caught,  unless  it  has  already  been  done,  and,  spreading  them  upon  the  sand,  or 
winding  them  upon  a  reel,  leave  them  until  the  latter  part  of  the  afternoon  to  dry,  when 
they  again  roll  them  up  carefully  and  put  them  on  board  of  their  boats.  Such  quantities 
of  whiting  are  sometimes  contained  in  the  nets  that  they  cannot  be  freed  for  hours,  not 
even  until  the  middle  of  the  day.  Should  only  a  few  mackerel  be  taken  during  a  night, 
they  are  sent  at  once  to  Boston  in  some  one  of  the  fishing-smacks  which  are  in  waiting 
to  take  them,  and  the  carriers  receive  a  part  of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  ;  or  they  are 
sold  outright,  for  from  three  fourths  of  a  cent  to  a  cent  and  a  half  apiece,  to  the  smacks. 
If  many  are  caught,  only  a  few  are  sent,  and  the  rest  are  split  and  salted,  and  sold  after- 
wards, to  be  sent  in  various  directions.  On  the  26th,  from  twenty  to  twenty-three  boats 
returned,  while  I  was  on  the  Point,  from  the  previous  night's  fishing,  and  averaged  about 
one  thousand  mackerel  apiece  ;  such  a  quantity  could  not  be  disposed  of,  fresh.  Captain 
Atwood  sold  only  one  hundred  of  the  largest,  for  two  cents  apiece,  and  was  obliged  to 
salt  the  remainder.  It  is  very  exciting  to  be  on  the  shore  and  watch  the  fishermen  as 
they  empty  their  nets,  —  throwing  out  whiting,  menhaden,  sheep's-head,  grunters,  ki- 
ucks,  blue-backs,  goose-fish,  and  dog-fish." 

To  give  an  idea  of  this  seining  of  mackerel,  which  continues  only  from  a  month  to  six 
weeks,  I  subjoin  the  following  tables,  furnished  me  by  Captain  Nathaniel  E.  Atwood,  of 
his  two  years'  fishing,  including  the  seasons  of  1846  and  1847,  assisted  by  one  person,  in 
his  beautiful  little  boat,  the  "  Scomber  vernalis." 


136 


HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 


Number  of  Mackerel  caught  in  1 846. 


Date. 

Whole  Number. 

Sold  Large. 

Sold  Small. 

Slock. 

Number  Salted. 

May    20, 

39 

34 

5 

$3.18 

"       21, 

"       22, 

68 

68 

4.11 

"       23, 

69 

69 

4.30 

Sunday. 

"       25, 

85 

63 

22 

2.27 

"       26, 

355 

355 

"       27, 

352 

352 

"       28, 

315 

260 

14.30 

55 

"       29, 

200 

170 

30 

9.00 

"       30, 

Sunday. 

June      1, 

179 

113 

66 

6.57 

2, 

453 

275 

178 

15.47 

3, 

352 

291 

61 

11.78 

4, 

1,117 

100 

3.12 

1,017 

5, 

6, 

426 

426 

Sunday. 

8, 

463 

322 

141 

16.66 

"        9, 

223 

178 

8.01 

45 

"       10, 

282 

208 

74 

11.02 

"       11, 

206 

156 

50 

7.25 

"       12, 

296 

188 

108 

9.85 

"       13, 

Sunday. 

«       15, 

273 

150 

123 

9.51 

"       16, 

340 

222 

118 

11.94 

"       17, 

"       18, 

110 

15 

95 

1.84 

"       19, 

"       20, 

Sunday. 

"       22, 

70 

18 

52 

2.02 

"       23, 

"       24, 

242 

172 

70 

10.39 

"      25, 

142 

87 

55 

4.16 

"       26, 

123 

87 

36 

4.72 

"       27, 

Sunday. 

"       29, 

242 

131 

111 

10.39 

"       30, 

98 

55 

43 

3.54 

July       1, 

20 

10 

10 

.76 

7,140 

3,442 

1,448 

f  187.16 

2,250  = 

13  bbls.  packed. 

HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 


137 


Number  of  Mackerel  caught  in  1 847. 


Date. 

Whole  Number. 

Sold  Fresh. 

Stock. 

Number  Salted. 

Large. 

Small. 

June       1, 

442 

245 

197 

$  13.39 

"         2, 

189 

66 

123 

4.95 

3, 

268 

111 

157 

7.12 

4, 

262 

180 

82 

8.84 

"         5, 

Sunday. 
"         7, 

368 

176 

192 

10.55 

8, 

326 

163 

163 

8.80 

"        9, 

261 

90 

171 

7.09 

»       10, 

"       11, 

18 

9 

9 

.94 

"       12, 

Sunday. 

"       14, 

654 

263 

391 

20.17 

«       15, 

410 

410 

"       16, 

1,172 

384 

788 

27.60 

"       17, 

271 

70 

201 

3.08 

"       18, 

346 

75 

271 

4.10 

"       19, 

460 

460 

Sunday. 

"       21, 

426 

92 

334 

10.64 

"       22, 

"       23, 

262 

53 

209 

6.30 

"       24, 

"       25, 

888 

100 

2.10 

788 

"       26, 

242 

242 

Sunday. 

"       28, 

14 

Price  not  named. 

"       29, 

102 

18 

84 

M 

By  small  mackerel  in  the  table  is  meant  those  about  half  the  size  of  the  largest ;  they 
are  culled  out  by  the  fishermen,  and  sold  for  about  half  the  price  of  the  largest.  The 
salted  mackerel  are  generally  contracted  for  by  some  purchaser  for  a  certain  price  (in 
Captain  Atwood's  case,  for  $  5  per  barrel),  to  be  delivered  at  his  wharf  within  a  month 
or  two  from  the  time  they  are  taken. 

This  species  revisits  our  shores  again  in  the  autumn,  but  is  not  taken  in  such  quantities 
as  in  the  spring  of  the  year.  Thus  in  the  months  of  October  and  November,  1 847,  there 
were  taken,  by  thirty-five  fishermen  who  followed  this  business,  1,076  barrels  full,  which 
were  packed';  and  %  783.73  worth,  which  were  sold  fresh. 

These  mackerel  are  inspected  at  the  wharf,  before  they  are  barrelled,  and  are  of  four 
distinct  qualities. 

The  first  must  be  13  inches  long,  from  the  tip  of  the  snout  to  the  notch  of  the  caudal 
fin.  The  second  is  under  13  inches  in  length,  but  fat.  The  third  comprises  those  which 

VOL.  V.    NEW  SERIES.  20 


138  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

are  13  inches  long,  but  are  poor.  And  the  fourth  contains  those  which  are  under  13  inches 
and  poor. 

After  the  1st  of  July,  the  fishermen  at  Provincetown  cease  to  cntch  this  species  in 
nets ;  it  now  readily  takes  the  hook,  and  is  captured  along  our  coast  in  immense  quanti- 
ties. Captain  Atwood  informs  me,  that  in  1845  the  mackerel-fishery  yielded  the  fisher- 
men at  Long  Point  two  thousand  dollars. 

It  is  calculated  that  from  six  to  eight  thousand  barrels  of  mackerel  fire  .mnuallv  sold 
fresh  in  Boston  market  alone.  But  their  great  value  arises  from  the  employment  afforded 
by  them  to  such  a  number  of  persons,  in  the  process  of  salting  and  packing,  requiring 
mechanics  of  various  descriptions,  and  seamen  to  manage  the  vessels  which  transport 
them  from  place  to  place. 

The  number  of  barrels  of  mackerel  inspected  in  Massachusetts  from  the  years  1831  to 
1 847  was  as  follows  :  — 

1831,  .         .         383,559  1839,         .         .  73,018 

1832,  .         .         .     224,000  1840,    .         .         .       50,99? 

1833,  .         .         225,000  1841,         .         .  55,537 

1834,  .         .         .     253,000  1842,    .         .         .       75,543 

1835,  .         .         197,000  1843,         .         .  64,451 

1836,  .         .         .     180,616  1844,    .         .         .     .86,181 

1837,  .         .         138,157  1845,         .         .         202,303 

1838,  .         .         .     108,358  1846,    .         .         .     174,064 

Those  packed  in  1836  were  furnished  by  the  following  towns  :  — 

Barrels.  Barrels. 

Boston,          ....  40,559  Scituate,        ....  3,782 

Gloucester  and  Manchester,        .  43,937  Yarmouth,         ....  2,446 

Nevvburyport  and  Newbury,  .  21,463  Salem  and  Beverly,        .         .  2,394 

Wellfleet,          ....  17,500  Plymouth,         ....         .  1,477 

Provincetown,        .         .         .  14,139  Lynn, 1,400 

Hingham,          ....  13,882  Duxbury,           ....  ],000 

Cohasset,       ....  11,700  Charlestown,          ...  822 

Barnstable,        ....  4,115 

At  the  prices  these  fish  were  worth  in  November,  1836,  the  value  of  the  year's  fishing 
amounted  to  $  1,264,012  dollars. 

Mr.  Solomon  Lincoln,  of  Hingham,  wrote  me  that  the  number  of  barrels  of  mackerel 
taken  at  that  place  in  1837  was  17,134i;  and  that  he  estimated  the  gross  proceeds  of 
the  .mackerel  fishery  of  that  place  for  that  year  at  $  1 15,000. 


HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  139 

By  the  "  Statistical  Tables  "  drawn  up  by  the  Secretary  of  State,  from  the  reports  upon 
the  various  branches  of  industry,  by  the  assessors  of  the  different  towns,  it  appears  that 
the  number  of  barrels  of  mackerel  taken  in  the  year  1837,  with  their  prices,  were  as  fol- 
lows :  —  Whole  number  of  barrels,  234,059;  value,  #  1,639,042.  Taken  by  the  follow- 
ing counties:  Barnstable  Co.,  76,036;  valued  at  #490,638.  Essex  Co.,  69,599  = 
#518,663.  Suffolk  Co.,  43,266  =  #320,165.  Plymouth  Co.,  25,258  =  #  179,748. 
Norfolk  Co.,  18,450=  #120,528.  Middlesex  Co.,  1,000  =  #6,000.  Bristol  Co., 
450  =  #  3,300. 

From  the  same  source,  for  the  year  ending  April  1st,  1845,  we  collect  the  following 
facts  :  —  Whole  number  of  barrels  of  mackerel  taken,  86,628  ;  value,  #637,052.  Taken 
by  the  following  counties :  Essex  Co.,  30,247 ;  valued  at  #"234,385.  Barnstable  Co., 
29/107  =  #207,145.  Plymouth  Co.,  10,388  =  #74,191.  Norfolk  Co.,  8,859  = 
#  56,583.  Suffolk  Co.,  7,455  =  #63,118.  Dukes  Co.,  217  =  #  1,300.  Middlesex 
Co.,  55  =  #330. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  with  accuracy  the  number  of  vessels  engaged  exclu- 
sively in  this  fishery.  la  many  towns,  the  same  vessels  are  used,  at  different  seasons  of 
the  year,  for  the  cod  as  well  a*  the  mackerel  fishery.  I  have  ascertained,  however,  that 
there  were  two  hundred  and  two  vessels  employed  in  this  fishery  in  1836  in  the  county 
of  Barnstable,  and  that  of  this  number  ninety-eight  belonged  to  Provincetown,  which 
were  valued  at  #147,000. 

It  might  be  inferred,  from  an  examination  of  the  above  table  of  the  numbers  of  mack- 
erel inspected  in  different  years,  that  in  some  seasons  fewer  vessels  were  engaged  in  the 
business,  or  that  it  was  considered  at  such  periods  of  less  importance  than  at  others  ;  this, 
however,  is  not  a  correct  conclusion.  In  some  seasons  immense  shoals  of  these  fish 
are  readily  met  with,  and  the  vessels  return  in  a  few  weeks  with  full  cargoes;  while  the 
same  localities  may  be  visited  at  other  seasons  and  the  efforts  of  the  fisherman  prove 
fruitless,  and  his  fare  meagre. 

So  peculiar  are  the  habits  of  this  species,  that  oftentimes  weeks  may  pass,  the  fishing- 
smacks  be  surrounded  by  millions  sporting  upon  the  surface  of  the  ocean,  and  scarce  one 
allow  itself  to  be  taken  ;  while,  again,  the  success  of  a  few  days  will  nearly  retrieve  the 
disappointments  of  a  season. 

Thus  a  fisherman  informed  me  that,  in  the  year  1837,  having  been  to  the  Bay  of 
Chaleur,  and  taken  but  few  fish,  the  vessel  to  which  he  belonged  was  returning  home, 
when,  off'  Cape  Cod,  the  fish  were  so  numerous  and  voracious,  that  the  crew,  consisting 
of  ten  men,  captured  in  two  hours  nearly  thirty  barrels  of  them.  At  this  time  about  two 
hundred  smacks  were  together,  and  they  were  all  equally  successful,  some  of  them  taking- 
even  forty  barrels  of  fish  in  the  same  period. 


140  HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Occasionally  this  fish  visits  the  very  harbors  along  both  shores  of  Massachusetts  Bay, 
and  is  taken  in  great  numbers.  When  they  first  enter  the  Bay,  immense  quantities  are 
captured  in  the  harbor  of  Provincetown.  By  the  following  extract  from  the  Boston 
Atlas  of  July  12,  1845,  copied  from  the  Gloucester  Telegraph,  it  appears  that  that 
place  had  received  a  visit  from  this  species  :  —  "  For  a  few  days  past  our  harbor  has  been 
filled  with  mackerel ;  and  on  Monday  about  four  hundred  barrels,  it  is  estimated,  were 
taken  in  seines,  vessels,  boats,  and  from  the  wharves.  Upwards  of  a  hundred  barrels  were 
taken  in  a  seine  at  one  haul."  The  following,  which  I  extract  from  a  "  Statement  pre- 
sented to  the  Members  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  by  Mr.  Caleb  Gushing,"  in  ref- 
erence to  a  "Bill  in  Addition  to  an  Act  to  authorize  the  Licensing  of  Vessels  to  be  em- 
ployed in  the  Mackerel  Fishery,"  exhibits  the  peculiarities  of  this  fish  in  an  interesting 
manner :  —  "  Their  movements  and  haunts  are  very  precarious,  and  their  habits  are  more 
versatile  than  those  of  almost  any  other  fish  of  commercial  importance.  So  true  is  this, 
that  fishermen  who  have  pursued  the  business  for  a  long  period  have  but  little  advantage 
over  those  recently  engaged  in  it,  in  judging,  with  any  degree  of  certainty,  which  may 
be  the  best  spot  of  fishing-ground  at  any  particular  season  of  the  year.  It  is  oftentimes 
the  case,  that  vessels  in  extreme  parts  of  the  Bay,  and  in  nearly  all  intermediate  stations, 
will  have  good  fishing  for  a  few  days,  and  for  many  succeeding  days  no  mackerel  will  be 
visible  ;  after  which  they  will  appear  to  rise  simultaneously  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  Bay ; 
and  in  moderate  weather  large  tracts  of  the  surface  of  the  sea  will  seem  to  be  covered 
with  shoals  of  the  fish,  swimming  with  one  side  of  the  gill  out  of  water.  At  times,  the 
fishermen  can  take  only  a  few  from  a  shoal,  as  it  passes  directly  in  contact  with  their 
vessel,  without  being  induced  to  stop  by  bait,  or  altering  its  course  in  the  least  degree. 
It  occasionally  happens,  that  late  in  the  year  the  fishermen  will  reap  a  rich  harvest,  when 
the  whole  previous  season  had  been  comparatively  unproductive.  Thus  it  was  in  the 
autumn  of  1831.  In  October  of  that  year  the  mackerel  struck  in  very  near  to  Cape 
Ann.  Large  fleets  of  vessels  collected  in  such  close  order  as  to  be  continually  coming  in 
contact.  The  sea  being  smooth,  and  great  quantities  of  bait  thrown  out,  the  fish  col- 
lected in  such  quantities  that  some  vessels  took  nearly  one  hundred  barrels  in  a  single 
day.  At  the  same  time  they  were  very  abundant  off"  Cape  Cod  and  on  Jeffries'  Ledge  ; 
and  it  was  computed  that  more  than  70,000  barrels  were  taken  in  a  single  week." 

Several  of  our  most  intelligent  fishermen  inform  me  that  the  difficulty  of  taking  mack- 
erel is  yearly  increasing,  from  the  barbarous  custom  prevailing  of  "gaffing"  them  ;  that 
is,  of  collecting  them  around  vessels  by  throwing  out  bait,  and  then  suddenly  drawing 
up  an  instrument  armed  with  numerous  sharp  iron  points,  by  which  many  are  captured, 
and  greater  numbers  are  cruelly  maimed  without  being  taken. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  141 

After  being  carefully  inspected,  a  ready  market  is  found  for  these  fish,  as  is  shown  by 
the  following  notice,  copied  from  Mr.  Cushing's  "  Statement,"  above  referred  to :  — 
"  A  small  portion  of  the  mackerel,  consisting  chiefly  of  the  poorest  quality,  No.  3,  is 
exported  to  foreign  countries.  It  is  not  easy  to  ascertain  the  precise  quantity  exported, 
as  the  Annual  Statement  printed  by  order  of  Congress  embraces  all  kinds  of  pickled  fish 
under  one  head  ;  probably  the  amount  does  not  exceed  40,000  barrels.  They  are  sent  to 
the  West  Indies,  to  South  America,  to  some  ports  of  the  Mediterranean,  and  to  the  East 
Indies.  But  the  principal  market  for  this  fish  is  in  the  United  States.  Philadelphia,  New 
York,  Baltimore,  and  New  Orleans  have  taken  the  largest  quantities  hitherto ;  but  more 
or  less  is  shipped  to  most  of  the  chief  ports  along  the  seaboard  from  New  York  to  New 
Orleans.  Thus  far  Philadelphia,  by  its  rapid  and  steady  increase  of  demand,  has  held 
the  lead  of  other  ports.  From  1820  to  1825  that  city  required  from  30,000  to  40,000 
barrels,  as  its  yearly  supply  for  its  own  consumption,  its  interior  trade,  and  its  foreign  or 
domestic  export.  It  now  receives  three  times  that  quantity,  and  about  one  third  part  of 
the  whole  product  of  the  fishery.  In  the  Southern  States,  also,  the  demand  increases 
with  the  increased  facilities  of  interior  transportation,  and  must  continue  to  be  enlarged, 
as  the  interior  of  the  country  goes  on  acquiring  access  to  markets  and  added  population 
and  prosperity.  It  is  understood,  also,  that  this  fish,  owing  to  its  good  qualities  as  an 
article  of  food,  and  its  convenient  form  for  subdivision  and  distribution  among  the  slaves, 
is  gaining  favor  in  the  estimation  of  the  planters  of  the  South.  As  evidence  of  which 
fact,  it  may  be  stated,  by  way  of  example,  that,  with  a  colored  population  of  210,000  per- 
sons, the  State  of  Georgia  consumed,  the  last  year  (1835),  37,000  barrels,  of  all  quali- 
ties, valued  there  at  $  286,750.  Doubtless  the  consumption  is  proportionably  great  in 
all  the  other  planting  States." 

Labrador,  H.  R.  STOKER.  The  whole  of  the  Atlantic  Coast,  RICHARDSON.  Maine, 
Massachusetts,  STORER.  Connecticut,  LINSLEY,  AYRES.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKA*. 

GENUS  II.     PELAMYS,  Cov. 
The  teeth  strong,  separate,  and  pointed. 

PELAMYS  SARD  A,  Cuvier. 

The  Striped  Bonito. 

(PLATE  XI.  FIG.  5.) 

Scomber  sarda,  BLOCH,  Systems,  p.  22,  pi.  334. 

"          "       Bonetta,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  428. 
La  Ptlamide  commune,  ou  Bonite  A,  doe  rayt  (Pelamys  sarda,  Cov.,  Scomber  sarda,  BL  ),  Cuv.  ct  VAL  ,  VIH.  p.  149,  pi.  217. 


142  HISTORY    OF    THE    WISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Pelamys  sarda.  Ski-)- Jack,  SiORiin,  Report,  p.  49. 

"  "  Striped  Bonito,  DEKAY.  Hcport,  p.  106,  pi.  9,  fig.  27. 
"  STORRI:.  Mem.  Arpcr.  Acprl..  Now  Scriss;  n.  p.  843. 
"  STOKEH,  Synopsis,  p.  91. 

Color.  The  head  and  the  upper  part  of  the  body  are  of  <<  greenish- brown  color;  the 
sides  are  lighter,  the  abdomen  of  a  silvery  white.  From  ten  to  twenty  dark-bluish  bands 
pass  obliquely  downwards  and  forwards  from  the  dorsum  towards  the  abdomen  ;  the  first 
of  these  bands  commences  at  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  first  dorsal  fin  ;  the  last  arises 
at  the  commencement  of  the  caudal  fin  ;  several  ofthe.se  bands  pass  very  low  down  upon 
the  sides,  almost  reaching  the  abdomen.  Besides  these,  several  indistinct  lighter-colored 
bands  cross  the  body  transversely.  The  gill-covers  are  silvery,  marked  with  fuliginous. 
The  pupils  are  black  ;  the  irides  silvery.  The  first  dorsal  fin  is  of  a  light  color,  with 
dull  patches.  The  pectorals  arc  of  <*  dark  color  above,  and  lighter  beneath.  The  ana! 
fin  is  white,  with  fuliginous.  The  caudal  fin  is  of  a  dirty  bluish  color. 

Description.  The  body  is  oblong,  compressed,  perfectly  smooth.  The  scales  are 
exceedingly  minute,  with  the  exception  of  a  large  triangular  patch  of  larger  scales,  situ- 
ated back  of  the  opercles,  in  the  middle  of  which  are  the  pectoral  fins.  Several  series 
of  longitudinally  arranged  scales  are  situated  on  each  s<ide  of  the  dorsum,  running1  the 
whole  length  of  the  first  do  rsal  fin. 

The  lateral  line  arises  high  up  on  the  back,  and  pursues  an  undulatory  course  til)  it 
reaches  a  line  opposite  the  anterior  third  of  the  anal  fin,  whence  it  is  continued  in  a 
straight  line  to  the  tail. 

The  length  of  the  head,  which  is  destitute  of  scales,  is  less  than  one  fifth  the  whole 
length  of  the  fish.  The  jaws  are  equal.  The  jaws  and  palatine  bones  have  each  a  single 
rowr  of  sharp,  recurved,  prominent  teeth  ;  upon  the  middle  of  the  lower  jaw  are  four  teeth, 
the  anterior  two  quite  small,  the  posterior  two  the  largest  in  the  jaws  ;  the  palatine  bones 
are  very  small.  The  gape  of  the  mouth  is  large.  Eyes  circular.  Diameter  of  eye 
about  a  sixth  the  length  of  the  head. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  commences  on  a  line  over  the  origin  of  the  pectorals ;  its  second 
and  third  rays  are  longest ;  the  posterior  rays  are  very  short ;  the  whole  fin,  when  uncx- 
panded,  is  concealed  in  a  groove  at  its  base.  It  is  continued  almost  to  the  origin  of  the 
second  dorsal. 

The  second  dorsal  is  nearly  triangular,  emarginated  posteriorly  ;  its  posterior  portion 
is  slightly  tufted  like  the  commencement  of  finlets  ;  back  of  this  fin  are  eight  finlets,  the 
posterior  of  which  are  the  smallest. 

The  pectoral  fins  arise  just  back  of  the  operculum.  The  fan-shaped  ventrals  are  just 
back  of  the  origin  of  the  pectorals  ;  when  unexpanded,  these  fins  shut  into  a  depression 
on  the  abdomen. 


HISTORY    Of    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  143 

The  anal  fin  arises  on  a  line  with  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  second  dorsal,  and  is 
shaped  like  that  fin.  Seven  finlets  are  situated  back  of  the  anal  fin. 

The  anus  is  small,  and  situated  directly  in  front  of  the  anal  fin.  A  stout  fleshy  carina 
is  situated  on  each  side  of  the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail ;  on  each  side  of  the  posterior  part 
of  this  carina  two  quite  small  obtuse  carime  run  directly  backward  across  the  middle  of 
the  caudal  fin,  causing  quite  a  depression  between  them. 

The  caudal  fin  is  lunated.  Length  of  the  exterior  rays,  compared  with  distance  be- 
tween the  extremities  when  expanded,  as  3  to  o£. 

About  twenty  inches  in  length. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  20-14  +  VIM.  P.  24  or  26.  V.  6.  A.  14  + 
VII.  C.  24  or  26f. 

Remarks.  This  species,  called  by  the  fishermen  in  Boston  Market  the  Skip-Jack, 
and  by  those  at  the  extremity  of  Cape  Cod  the  Bonilo,  is  very  rarely  met  with  in 
Massachusetts  Bay  ;  it  is  occasionally  taken  at  Provincetown,  and  even  at  Lynn.  South 
of  the  Cape,  at  some  seasons,  it  is  frequently  caught  at  Martha's  Vineyard,  with  trailing 
bait.  Dekay  remarks  that  it  is  but  an  "  occasional  visitor  "  to  the  coast  of  New  York. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     Connecticut,  LINSLEY.     New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY. 

GENUS  HI.     THYNNTJS,  Cuv. 

Form  of  the  body  like  that  of  Scomber,  but  less  compressed.  A  kind  of  corselet  round 
the  thorax,  formed  by  scales  larger  and  coarser  than  those  of  the  rest  of  the  body  ;  a  long, 
elevated  crest  on  each  side  of  the  tail.  The  anterior  dorsal  reaching  almost  to  the  poste- 
rior one.  Numerous  finlets  behind  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins.  A  single  row  of  small, 
pointed,  crowded  teeth  in  each  jaw. 

THYNNUS  SECUNDO-DORSAUS,  Storer. 

Tlie  American  Tunny. 

(PLATE  XII.  FIG.  4.) 

Thynmus  rndgaris,  Cuv.,  Common  Tunny,  STORER,  Report,  p.  47. 
"        DEKAT,  Report,  p.  105,  pi.  110,  6g.  28. 
"        STORKU,  Men).  Anier.  Acad..  New  Series,  n.  p.  343. 
"        STOCEB,  Synopsis,  p,  91. 

Color.  Nearly  black  above.  Silvery  upon  sides ;  beneath  white.  Gill-covers  a  sil- 
very gray.  Pupils  black  ;  irides  golden,  with  greenish  reflections.  Rays  of  first  dorsal 
fuliginous  ;  connecting  membrane  nearly  black.  Second  dorsal  of  a  reddish-brown  color. 
Pectorals  silvery  gray.  Ventrals  black  above ;  beneath  white.  Anal  finlets,  like  those 
on  the  dorsum,  of  a  bright  yellow  color;  dark  at  base  and  upon  anterior  edge. 


144  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Description.  Form  elongated,  gradually  sloping  from  commencement  of  dorsal  to  ex- 
tremity of  snout,  and  tapering  from  dorsal  to  tail.  Length  of  head  about  one  fourth 
length  of  fish.  Depth  across  base  of  pectorals,  two  ninths  of  entire  length  ;  across  base 
of  anal,  about  one  seventh  ;  at  base  of  caudal,  one  twenty-eighth,  and  in  another  speci- 
men, one  thirty-fourth.  Eyes  circular  ;  distance  between  them  less  than  half  the  length 
of  head.  Opercula  very  large,  perfectly  smooth.  Jaws  equal  when  closed.  Tongue 
large.  Inside  of  mouth  blackish.  Gape  of  mouth  very  large.  Entire  body  covered  by 
large  scales,  which  are  almost  hidden  by  superjacent  smaller  ones,  and  a  thickened  mem- 
brane. Patches  of  still  larger  scales,  or  bony  plates,  in  front  of  first  dorsal,  around  pec- 
toral, between  it  and  lateral  line. 

First  dorsal  commences  just  over  pectorals.  Its  rays  are  very  strong,  gradually  de- 
creasing in  length  until  hardly  perceptible  ;  the  first  the  longer.  The  fin,  when  unex- 
panded,  shuts  out  of  sight  into  a  deep  groove,  deepest  of  course  at  its  origin. 

The  height  of  the  second  dorsal  is  much  greater  than  that  of  the  first,  and  more  than 
twice  its  own  length.  Followed  by  ten  finlets. 

Pectorals  falciform.     About  one  seventh  of  length  of  fish. 

Ventrals,  just  beneath  pectorals ;  stout,  and  shutting,  like  dorsal,  into  a  groove. 

Anal  commences  some  distance  back  of  a  line  from  termination  of  second  dorsal.  Be- 
hind it  nine  finlets,  the  middle  ones  the  longer,  as  is  also  the  case  with  those  of  the 
dorsal. 

Caudal  lunated.  Measured  across  the  extremities  of  its  lobes,  it  is  equal  to  one  third 
the  entire  fish.  At  its  base  a  stout  lateral  carina  of  considerable  length.  Above  and 
below  its  posterior  third  are  two  smaller  carins. 

Owing  to  the  denseness  of  the  membrane  which  connects  them,  it  is  with  great  diffi- 
culty that  the  fin  rays  can  be  counted.  As  accurately  as  they  could  be  ascertained,  they 
are  as  follows  :— D.  14-1-13  +  X.  P.  34.  V.  1-5.  A.  2- 12  + IX.  C.  19. 

Length  of  two  specimens  which  I  have  examined,  8  feet  6  inches  and  9  feet  3  inches. 
Weight,  over  1,000  Ibs. 

Remarks.  In  the  year  1838  I  had  an  opportunity  to  examine  a  specimen  of  this  fish, 
which  was  taken  near  Cape  Ann,  and  concluded  that  it  must  be  the  vulgaris  of  Cuvier. 
Dr.  Dekay,  in  his  Report,  not  having  seen  an  entire  specimen,  adopted  my  description  and 
conclusion.  During  the  last  spring,  a  second  specimen  was  examined  at  Provincetown, 
and  carefully  figured  by  Mr.  Sonrel ;  and  I  have  satisfied  myself  that  it  differs  from  all 
the  species  of  the  genus  contained  in  the  Histoire  Naturelle  des  Poissons.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  differential  marks  from  the  vulgaris,  which  it  most  nearly  resembles :  — 

1st.  In  the  vulgaris  the  height  of  the  second  dorsal  is  about  that  of  the  first.  In  our 
fish  it  is  much  greater,  and  also  as  compared  with  its  own  length. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  145 

2d.  In  the  vulgaris,  the  anal  arises  on  a  line  with  the  termination  of  the  second  dor- 
sal. In  ours,  it  is  several  inches  behind  it. 

3d.  In  the  vulgaris,  the  length  of  the  tail,  from  the  point  of  one  lobe  to  that  of  the 
other,  is  shorter  than  the  length  of  the  head.  In  ours,  it  is  much  longer. 

4th.  In  the  vulgaris,  the  length  of  the  pectorals  is  about  one  fifth  the  entire  length. 
In  both  the  specimens  here  examined,  their  length  was  one  seventh  the  entire  fish.  It, 
however,  differs  in  all  other  important  respects  from  the  brachypterus  of  the  Mediterra- 
nean, which,  indeed,  seems  identical  with  the  brevipinnis  of  the  same  waters  ;  and  in  this 
respect,  as  also  in  the  greater  height  of  its  second  dorsal,  from  the  Coretta  of  the  West 
Indies. 

This  species,  which  is  known  along  our  coast  as  the  Horse- Mucker  el  and  Albicore, 
comes  into  Massachusetts  Bay  about  the  middle  of  June,  and  remains  until  early  in  Oc- 
tober. At  the  entrance  of  the  Bay,  they  are  met  with  in  greater  quantities  than  in  any 
other  part  of  it ;  thus,  while  a  few  stragglers  are  occasionally  seen  by  the  fishermen  who 
supply  the  Boston  market  daily  with  cod  and  haddock,  it  is  not  an  uncommon  circum- 
stance to  observe  fifty  or  more  in  a  day  at  Provincetown.  When  this  fish  first  appears, 
it  is  exceedingly  poor,  and  is  perfectly  useless.  By  the  first  of  September  it  becomes 
quite  fat,  and  is  frequently  taken  at  Provincetown  for  its  oil.  This  is  not  extracted  from 
the  liver,  as  in  many  other  fishes,  but  is  obtained  from  the  head  and  belly  by  boiling. 
Sometimes  twenty  gallons  of  oil  are  procured  from  a  single  specimen.  It  is  rarely  caught 
with  the  hook,  but  is  generally  taken  with  the  harpoon,  in  the  same  manner  that  whales 
are  captured.  Within  a  few  years  past,  this  species  seems  to  have  become  more  shy  and 
distant.  I  learn  from  fishermen  of  veracity,  that  instances  have  occurred  in  which  food 
has  been  taken  by  them  from  the  hand  when  held  to  them  from  the  boat.  It  feeds  upon 
menhaden  and  other  small  species,  which  it  drives  near,  and  frequently  upon,  the  shore. 
The  fishermen  are  oftentimes  much  annoyed  by  having  their  nets  injured  by  them.  Its 
flesh  is  occasionally  used  for  mackerel-bait,  but  not  with  us  as  an  article  of  food,  although 
Dekay  states  that  it  is  met  with  in  the  New  York  market  every  season. 

GENUS  IV.    CYBITJM,  Cuv. 

An  elongated  body  without  a  corselet ;  and  large,  compressed,  sharp  teeth.  The 
palatines  have  only  short  and  even  teeth. 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  21 


146  HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

CYBIUM  MACULATUM,  Cuv. 

The  Spotted  Mackerel. 

(PLATE  XIII.  FIG.  1.) 

Scomber  maculatus,  Sfxtnish  mackerel,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  T.,  I.  p.  426,  pi.  6,  fig.  8. 
Le  Taassard  tadiete  {Cybium  maculatum,  Cuv.,  Scomber  maculatus,  MITCH.),  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  vm.  p.  181. 
Cybium  maculatum,  Spotted  Mackerel,  STOKER,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  IV.  p.  179. 

"  "         ATKES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  261. 

"  "          Spotted  Cybium,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  108,  pi.  73,  fig.  232. 

"  "         STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  u.  344. 

"  "         STOKER,  Synopsis,  p.  92. 

Color.  The  top  of  the  head  and  the  upper  part  of  the  sides  of  the  body  are  of  a  dark 
leaden  color ;  the  sides  are  lighter ;  the  jaws,  opercula,  and  abdomen  are  of  a  beautiful 
clear  white,  presenting  a  satin-like  appearance  ;  the  dorsal  ridge  throughout  its  whole 
extent  is  of  a  beautiful  dark-green  color ;  twenty  or  more  circular  or  oblong  spots,  situ- 
ated above  and  beneath  the  lateral  line,  ornament  its  sides  ;  the  most  anterior  of  these 
spots  is  beneath  the  pectoral  fins ;  the  largest  number  of  the  spots  is  anterior  to  the  dor- 
sal fin.  The  membrane  connecting  the  first  eight  rays  of  the  dorsal  fin  is  black  ;  the 
second  dorsal  fin  is  of  a  lead-color  ;  the  pectorals  are  black  beneath,  light  above ;  the 
ventrals  are  white. 

Description.  In  its  figure  it  resembles  the  S.  colias.  Its  greatest  depth,  measured 
from  the  origin  of  the  first  dorsal  fin,  is  equal  to  nearly  one  fourth  its  entire  length. 

The  length  of  the  head  is  equal  to  about  one  seventh  the  entire  fish,  and  terminates 
anteriorly  in  a  sharp  point.  The  eyes  are  circular.  The  anterior  nostril  is  the  smaller, 
and  is  semicircular  ;  the  posterior  nostril,  which  is  situated  directly  in  front  of  the  centre 
of  the  eye,  is  a  transverse  slit.  The  upper  jaw  terminates  in  a  point;  the  prominent  tip 
of  the  lower  jaw  projects  slightly  beyond  the  upper  :  both  of  the  jaws  are  furnished  with 
a  single  row  of  prominent,  sharp,  somewhat  conical  teeth  ;  those  situated  towards  the 
angle  of  the  jaws  are  the  largest. 

The  lateral  line,  which  is  raised  above  the  general  surface  of  the  fish,  arises  half  an 
inch  above  the  origin  of  the  pectoral  fins,  and,  in  the  language  of  Mitchill,  "  does  not 
travel  straight,  but  crooks  and  meanders  along  prettily  towards  the  tail." 

The  first  dorsal  fin,  when  unexpanded,  shuts  almost  completely  into  a  groove  at  its 
base ;  its  anterior  portion  is  much  higher  than  the  posterior ;  the  second  and  third  rays 
are  the  highest ;  all  the  rays  project  beyond  their  connecting  membrane,  and  are  fur- 
nished with  delicate  filaments. 

The  second  dorsal  fin  is  triangular,  emarginated  posteriorly  ;  its  first  two  rays  are 
simple  ;  posterior  to  this  fin  are  eight  or  nine  finlets,  of  the  same  color  as  the  fin. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  147 

The  pectoral  fins  are  falciform,  and  arise  directly  back  of  the  angle  of  the  operculum. 

The  ventral  fins  are  quite  small. 

The  anal  fin  arises  opposite  the  middle  of  the  second  dorsal,  and  is  of  the  same  length 
as  that  fin  ;  eight  or  nine  finlets  are  posterior  to  it,  similar  in  their  appearance  to  those 
back  of  the  second  dorsal  fin. 

The  caudal  fin  is  large  and  lunated.  At  its  base  is  a  lateral  carina,  upon  which  the 
lateral  line  terminates ;  and  on  each  side  of  this  are  two  smaller  carinae  running  the  en- 
tire length  of  the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail. 

Length,  about  twenty  inches. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  18-17  +  VIII.    P.  20.   V.  4.    A.  18  +  VIII.    C.26. 

Remarks.  This  species,  which  is  found  on  the  coast  of  South  America,  and  which 
Dekay  speaks  of  as  occurring  sparingly  in  the  waters  of  New  York,  must  be  exceedingly 
rare  on  the  shores  of  Massachusetts.  I  have  known  but  five  specimens  to  be  taken 
here;  one  of  these  was  captured  at  Lynn,  July  24th,  1841,  in  a  seine,  in  company 
with  several  blue-Jisti,  and  the  others  were  taken  at  Provincetown,  August,  1847.  The 
former  measured  twenty-one  inches  in  length,  the  latter  but  fifteen  inches.  It  roams 
even  farther  north  than  Massachusetts,  Captain  Atwood  having  captured  a  specimen  at 
Mohegan,  on  the  coast  of  Maine. 

Maine,  Captain  ATWOOD.  Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  LINSLEY,  AYRES. 
New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY.  South  America,  CUVIER. 

GENUS  V.     TRICHIURUS,  LIN. 

Head  pointed ;  body  without  scales,  elongated,  compressed,  thin,  ribbon-shaped.  No 
ventral  fins,  nor  scales  instead  ;  no  anal  fin  ;  a  single  continuous  dorsal  fin  ;  tail  without 
rays,  ending  in  a  single  elongated  hair-like  filament,  from  which  the  generic  name  is 
derived.  A  single  row  of  compressed,  cutting,  and  pointed  teeth.  Branchiostegous 
rays,  seven. 

TRICHIURUS  LEPTURUS,  Lin. 

The  Silvery  Hair-tail. 

(PLATE  XII.  FIG.  1.) 

Trichiurus  lepturus,  LIN.,  Syst.  Nat.,  p.  409. 

Gymnogaster  argenteus  compressus,  cauda  attenuata  impinna,  BROWNE,  Jamaica,  p.  444,  pi.  45,  fig.  4. 

Trichiurus  lepturus,  BLOCH,  Ichth.,  v.  p.  55,  pi. 158. 

Trichiurus  argenteus,  Silver  Trichiure,  SHAW,  Gen.  Zool.,  iv.  p.  1,  pt.  90,  fig.  12. 

Trichiurus  lepturus,  STKACK'S  Plates,  xx.  fig.  1. 

Trichiurus  argenteus,  Silvery  Hair-tail,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  T.,  i.  p.  364. 

Le  Trichiure  de  PAtlantique  (Trichiurus  lepturus,  LIN.),  Cuv.  ct  VAL.,  Tin.  p.  237. 


148  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHOSE  ITS. 

Trichiurus  lepturus,  YARRELL,  Brit.  Fishes  (2d  edit.),  i.  p.  204. 
"  "  STOKER,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  IY.  p.  181. 

"  "          DEKAT,  Report,  p.  109,  pi   12,  fig.  35. 

STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  p.  346. 
"  "  "         Synopsis,  p.  94. 

Color.  Of  a  uniform  silver  color  throughout.  Pupils  black  ;  irides  golden.  Lateral 
line  of  a  greenish-yellow  color.  The  dorsal  fin  is  greonish-yellow  at  its  base  ;  fuliginous 
above.  The  pectorals  are  yellowish  at  their  base,  and  more  or  less  fuliginous  above. 

Description.  Body  without  scales ;  long,  very  much  compressed,  tapering  to  a  point. 
The  abdomen  is  full,  rounded,  and  smooth  on  its  edge ;  the  inferior  portion  of  the  body- 
back  of  the  anus  forms  an  acute  edge,  which  is  marked  throughout  with  sharp  serrations. 
The  length  of  my  specimen  is  thirty-nine  and  a  half  inches ;  the  length  of  the  head  is  six 
inches,  or  nearly  one  seventh  of  its  whole  length.  The  head  is  compressed  upon  its 
sides,  flattened  between  the  eyes  ;  a  protuberance  exists  upon  the  top  of  the  occiput,  and 
two  similar  projections  directly  back  of  the  eyes.  The  operculum  is  large,  margined  with 
a  very  delicate  membrane,  and  presenting  numerous  very  delicate  striae  upon  its  surface  ; 
similar  striae  are  noticeable  upon  the  posterior  portion  of  the  superior  maxillary  bone. 
The  eyes  are  large  and  circular ;  their  diameter  nearly  equal  to  an  eighth  the  length  of 
the  head  ;  the  nostrils  are  large,  vertically  oval,  situated  in  front  of  the  anterior  superior 
angle  of  the  eye.  The  gape  of  the  mouth  is  large.  The  lower  jaw  is  the  longer,  with 
a  prominent  chin  ;  both  jaws  have  numerous  acute,  lancet-shaped  teeth.  At  the  extrem- 
ity of  the  upper  jaw  are  two  large,  much-incurved,  barbed  teeth  ;  and  back  of  these,  two 
other  similarly  formed,  rather  larger  teeth,  separated  from  the  former  by  one  or  two  very 
minute  ones  ;  posterior  to  these  are  about  a  dozen  acute  unarmed  teeth,  the  posterior 
ones  the  largest.  At  the  tip  of  the  lower  jaw,  on  each  side,  is  a  large  tooth  similar  to 
those  above  them  in  the  upper  jaw  ;  when  the  jaws  are  closed,  these  project  beyond  the 
upper  jaw  ;  and  the  two  anterior  teeth  of  the  upper  jaw  shut  into  a  cavity  of  the  lower, 
just  back  of  the  chin ;  back  of  these  prominent  teeth,  in  the  lower  jaw,  are  from  fifteen 
to  seventeen  other  smaller  ones ;  of  these,  three,  which  are  the  larger,  on  each  side,  in 
about  the  middle  of  the  jaw,  are  barbed.  The  palatine  bones  are  armed  with  very  mi- 
nute teeth.  The  tongue  is  of  moderate  size,  and  smooth.  A  portion  of  the  roof  of  the 
mouth  is  covered  by  a  loose  membrane. 

The  lateral  line  arises  upon  the  shoulder,  at  the  superior  angle  of  the  operculum, 
curves  backwards  and  downwards  to  the  inferior  third  of  the  body,  until  opposite  the 
fourteenth  or  fifteenth  dorsal  ray,  when  it  pursues  a  straight  course  to  the  tip  of  the  tail. 

The  dorsal  fin,  which  is  composed  of  flexible  rays,  commences  upon  a  ridge  just  back 
of  the  occipital  protuberance,  and  gradually  increases  in  height  towards  its  middle,  then 
diminishes,  and  is  lost  in  the  naked  tail. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FISHES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS.  149 

The  fan-shaped  pectoral  fins  arise  from  under  the  posterior  inferior  angle  of  the  oper- 
culum,  being  partly  crossed  by  that  angle  ;  the  first  rays,  which  are  highest,  are  nearly 
equal  to  one  third  the  length  of  the  head. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  133  -  135.    P.  12.     Length,  from  two  to  three  feet. 

Remarks.  This  beautiful  fish  is  a  Southern  species,  and  is  very  rarely  found  in  our 
waters.  During  twenty  years'  attention  to  the  fishes  of  Massachusetts,  I  have  known 
but  two  individuals  to  be  taken.  One  of  these  was  cast  ashore,  during  the  summer  of 
1840,  upon  the  beach  at  Buttermilk  Bay,  in  the  northern  corner  of  Buzzard's  Bay;  the 
other  was  captured  at  Wellfleet  in  the  summer  of  1845.  From  this  latter  specimen,  re- 
ceived in  a  perfectly  fresh  condition,  my  figure  and  description  have  been  prepared. 

Dekay  states  that  it  is  known  by  the  fishermen  of  New  York  by  the  name  of  Ribbon- 
fish.  According  to  Browne,  it  is  called  Sword-fish  at  Jamaica. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY.  Gulf  of  Mexico,  Caribbean 
Sea,  South  America,  CUVIER. 

GENUS  VI.    XIPHIAS,  LIN. 

Body  fusiform,  covered  with  minute  scales ;  a  single  elongated  dorsal  fin  ;  ventral  fins 
wanting  ;  tail  strongly  carinated  ;  upper  jaw  elongated,  forming  a  sword.  Mouth  with- 
out teeth.  Branch iostegous  rays,  seven. 

XIPHIAS  GLADIUS,  Lin. 

The  Sword-fish. 
(PLATE  XIII.  FIG.  2.) 

Xiphias  yladius,  LIN.,  Syst.  Nat.,  p.  432. 

"       Common  Stvord-Jish,  SHAW,  Gen.  Zool.,  iv.  p.  99,  fig.  14. 
"  "  "  "  STRACK'S  Plates,  xxi.  fig.  1. 

"  "  "  "  PENNANT,  Arc.  Zool.,  u.  p.  113. 

GRIFFITH'S  Cuv.,  x.  p.  187,  pi.  27,  fig.  1,  and  Supplement  to  the  Acanthopterygii,  p.  349. 
L'Espadon  tpte  (Xiphias  gladius,  LIN.),  Cuv.  et  VAL.,  vm.  p.  255,  pi.  225  and  226. 
Xiphias  gladius,  WILSON,  Encyclopaedia  Brit ,  Art.  Ichth.,  p.  184,  pi.  202. 
"          "        JENYNS,  Brit.  Vert.,  p.  364. 
"         "        YARRELL,  Brit.  Fishes  (2d  edit.),  i.  p.  164,  fig. 
"         "         STOKER,  Report,  p.  51. 
"         "        DEKAY,  Report,  p.  Ill,  pi.  26,  fig.  79. 
"         "        STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  347. 
"         "  "         Synopsis,  p.  95. 

Color.  In  the  fresh  fish,  the  back  and  upper  parts  of  the  sides  are  almost  black  ; 
this  color  changes  to  a  bluish  after  death.  The  abdomen  is  of  a  dirty-white  color, 
which  afterwards  is  changed  into  a  silvery  gray.  The  gill-covers  are  silvery  brown,  and 
present  on  their  surface  an  arborescent  appearance. 


150  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Description.  The  surface  of  the  body  is  smooth.  The  length  of  the  head  from  the 
posterior  edge  of  the  operculum  to  the  angle  of  the  jaws  equal  to  one  twelfth  the  entire 
length  of  the  fish.  The  length  of  the  lower  jaw,  from  the  angle  to  the  chin,  equal  to  one 
ninth  the  length  of  the  fish.  The  length  of  the  sword,  from  the  anterior  angle  of  the  eye 
to  its  extremity,  equal  to  one  third  the  length  of  the  fish.  Upper  part  of  the  sword  dark 
brown,  almost  black,  with  a  groove  extending  throughout  its  whole  extent.  Under 
portion  of  the  sword  lighter  colored,  and  having  a  velvety  feel.  The  edges  of  the 
sword  have  a  bony,  shining,  perfectly  smooth  edge.  The  widest  portion  of  the  upper 
jaw  equal  to  about  one  twelfth  the  length  of  the  sword.  This  upper  jaw  gradually 
terminates  to  a  point.  Jaws,  without  teeth ;  a  velvety  feel,  to  the  finger,  upon  the  lower 
jaw.  Eyes  large  and  very  movable  in  their  orbits  ;  the  orbit  horizontally  oval,  the  eye 
itself  circular.  Branchiae  composed  of  four  pairs  of  large  parallel  laminae,  and  one  smaller 
one.  Branchial  membrane  composed  of  eight  rays. 

The  dorsal  fin  commences  nearly  on  a  line  above  the  posterior  edge  of  the  operculum. 
It  is  strongly  falciform,  four  times  as  high  as  the  upper  jaw  is  wide  ;  its  length  is  equal  to 
three  fourths  its  height.  In  the  specimen  described  in  my  Report,  eighteen  rays  were 
obvious  in  the  anterior  portion  of  the  dorsal ;  in  the  specimen  from  which  my  present 
description  is  written,  twenty-one  rays  may  be  counted,  although  the  former  specimen 
measured  twelve  feet  five  inches,  while  the  present  one  measures  only  seven  feet  three 
inches.  In  this  specimen,  as  well  as  that,  the  whole  dorsal  ridge  between  these  rays,  and 
within  a  few  inches  of  the  base  of  the  tail,  has  no  vestige  of  a  ray  above  the  surface, 
but  in  their  place  is  a  shallow  groove  throughout  the  whole  extent,  supporting  a  slight 
membrane  ;  the  bases  of  a  few  rays  are  seen,  however,  upon  dissection,  beneath  the  skin. 
A  few  inches  in  front  of  the  base  of  the  tail  is  situated  the  extremity  of  the  dorsal  fin, 
composed  of  three  rays  in  both  of  the  specimens  I  have  seen,  slightly  emarginated  above 
and  terminating  posteriorly  in  a  point,  and  looking  like  the  adipose  fin  of  the  Salmonides, 
or  the  finlets  of  many  of  the  Scomberoides. 

The  pectoral  fins  are  also  falciform,  less  high  than  the  dorsal  ;  their  length  a  little  more 
than  one  fourth  the  height. 

The  anal  fin  is  formed  like  the  dorsal,  and  is  three  fifths  its  height.  The  extremity  of 
this  fin  terminates  on  the  same  plane  with  the  dorsal,  and  is  formed  much  like  that.  This 
portion  in  the  former  specimen  contained  three  rays,  in  the  present  two.  This  small 
posterior  portion  is  one  eighth  the  height  of  the  longest  rays.  At  the  base  of  the  tail  is 
situated  a  transverse  furrow.  On  each  side  of  the  base  of  the  tail  is  situated  a  carina 
about  the  height  of  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  dorsal  fin,  and  about  as  long  again  as 
high,  extending  on  to  the  caudal  fin. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  151 

The  caudal  fin  is  very  deeply  forked. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows:  — D.  18-3.     P.  15.     A.  11-2-3.    C.  17. 

Remarks.  This  species  is  seldom  seen  in  Massachusetts  Bay,  but  is  a  common  fish  at 
some  seasons  of  the  year  from  Nantucket  to  Block  Island,  and  has  become  quite  an  arti- 
cle of  commerce.  It  is  generally  discovered  by  the  fishermen  by  the  projection  of  its 
dorsal  fin  above  the  surface  of  the  water,  as  it  is  pursuing  shoals  of  mackerel  and  men- 
haden, upon  which  it  feeds.  It  is  occasionally  taken  with  a  hook  baited  with  one  of  these 
fishes,  but  almost  always  it  is  captured  with  an  instrument  called  a  "  lily-iron,"  from  the 
form  of  its  shafts  or  wings,  which  resemble  the  leaves  of  a  lily.  This  instrument  is 
thrown,  like  a  harpoon,  with  great  force,  into  the  fish,  the  attempt  always  being  made  to 
wound  the  animal  in  front  of  the  origin  of  the  dorsal  fin.  When  wounded,  it  sometimes 
frees  itself  from  the  iron  by  its  struggles  ;  and  has  been  known  to  dive  with  so  much 
force  towards  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  as  to  bury  the  sword  its  whole  extent  into  the  sand 
or  mud,  which  was  proved  by  its  appearance  when  taken.  When  unmolested,  it  is  ob- 
served, not  unfrequently,  to  spring  several  times  its  length  forwards,  some  feet  above  the 
surface  of  the  water.  It  appears  at  Gay  Head  about  the  first  of  June,  and  remains  there 
until  into  September.  Fifteen  to  twenty  boats  are  employed  from  Martha's  Vineyard 
and  Noman's  Land  in  this  fishery.  At  Noman's  Land,  two  men  in  a  boat  not  iinfre- 
quently  take  eight  in  a  day.  When  caught,  their  heads  and  fins  are  cut  off,  and  they  are 
carried  fresh  to  New  Bedford  market,  where  they  are  sold  like  the  halibut,  cut  into  slices, 
or  cut  into  slices  and  pickled  or  salted,  and  kept  for  sale  in  that  state  throughout  the 
year.  In  the  first  part  of  the  season  they  sell  fresh  for  four  cents  per  pound,  but  late  in 
the  season  they  do  not  bring  more  than  two  cents  per  pound.  When  salted,  the  flesh  is 
worth  $6  per  barrel.  About  one  third  of  the  quantity  taken  is  sold  fresh.  About  two 
hundred  barrels  of  this  species  are  yearly  captured  at  Martha's  Vineyard.  Very  rarely  is 
the  flesh  of  this  species  offered  for  sale  in  Boston  market,  although  when  salted  it  is  pre- 
ferred by  many  to  that  of  several  other  species. 

The  largest  individuals  weigh  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  pounds. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     Connecticut,  LINSLEY.     New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY. 

GENUS  VII.     PALINURUS,  DEKAY. 

Preopercle  serrated,  with  spines  on  its  margin.  Opercle  with  one  or  more  flat  spines, 
more  or  less  distinctly  serrated  beneath.  Anal  with  one  or  more  spines  in  front.  Teeth 
small,  pointed,  subequal.  Body  compressed,  oblong.  The  anterior  portion  of  the  single 
dorsal  spinous. 


152  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

PALINURUS  PERCIFORMIS,  Dekuy. 
The  Black  Pilot. 

(PLATE  XIII.  FIG.  3.) 

Rudder-fish,  or  Perch  Coryphene,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  pi.  6,  fig.  7.    No  description. 

"  Corypkcena  perciformis,  MITCHILL,  Amer.  Month.  Mag.,  n.  p.  244. 

TracJiinotus  argenteus,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  53. 
Palinurus  perciformis,  Black  Pilot,  DEKAY,  Keport,  p.  118,  pi.  24,  fig.  25. 

"  "  STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  II.  p.  351. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  99. 

Color.  Of  a  bluish-white  color  upon  the  sides,  covered  with  minute  black  punctures, 
the  lower  portion  of  the  sides  and  abdomen  of  a  lighter  color  ;  the  top  of  the  head  and 
back  mottled  with  black  blotches.  In  the  immature  fish  the  color  is  a  dark  brown,  varie- 
gated with  yellow  patches. 

Description.  The  body  of  this  fish  is  oblong.  The  head  in  length  is  equal  to  one 
fourth  that  of  the  body ;  a  bony  ridge  is  observed  over  the  eyes ;  the  diameter  of  the 
eyes  is  rather  more  than  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  head.  The  operculum  is  large, 
naked,  of  a  horny  texture,  margined  by  a  membrane.  The  preoperculum  is  strongly  ser- 
rated throughout,  more  conspicuously  posteriorly.  A  depression  exists  upon  the  top  of 
the  head  between  the  eyes.  The  distance  between  the  eyes  is  equal  to  twice  the  diam- 
eter of  the  eyes.  The  nostrils  are  situated  directly  in  front  of  the  anterior  superior  angle 
of  the  eyes  ;  the  posterior  is  much  the  larger.  The  jaws  are  of  equal  length,  with  small, 
sharp  teeth  ;  the  upper  jaw  descends  abruptly. 

The  lateral  line  commences  high  above  the  operculum,  and,  curving  over  the  pectorals 
to  their  extremities,  pursues  a  straight  course  to  the  tail. 

The  dorsal  fin,  whose  fleshy  portion  is  preceded  by  eight  spinous  rays,  commences 
back  of  a  line  opposite  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and  is  continued  to  the 
fleshy  portion  of  the  tail. 

The  pectorals  are  just  beneath  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum ;  they  are  as  long 
again  as  high. 

The  ventrals  are  more  than  half  the  length  of  the  pectorals ;  their  outer  ray  is  spi- 
nous. 

The  anal  fin  arises  just  in  the  middle  of  the  body,  and  is  as  long  again  as  high ;  this 
fin  is  preceded  by  three  spinous  rays. 

The  caudal  fin  is  quite  deeply  lunated.  . 

Length,  about  twelve  inches. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows :  —  D.  8-22.    P.  19  to  21.    V.  1  -  5.    A.  3  -  17.    C.  16|. 


HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  153 

Remarks.  This  species,  which,  while  preparing  my  Report,  I  considered  to  be  the 
Trachinotus  argenteus  of  Cuvier,  is  occasionally  found  in  New  York,  according  to  Dekay, 
and  is  not  unfrequently  met  with  at  Holmes's  Hole.  Dr.  Yale  writes  me,  from  the  latter 
place  :  "  It  follows  vessels,  or  keeps  near  old  casks  or  planks  that  are  floating,  and 
sometimes  is  found  about  the  wharf-logs  in  our  harbor."  The  only  specimen  I  have 
known  to  be  captured  north  of  Cape  Cod  was  taken  at  one  of  the  wharves  in  this  city, 
September  12,  1846. 

It  is  known  by  the  fishermen  at  Martha's  Vineyard  as  the  Rudder-fish. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY. 


GENUS  VIII.    CARANX,  Cuv. 

Body  covered  with  small  scales,  with  the  exception  of  the  lateral  line,  which  is  armed 
with  a  series  of  broad  scales,  those  on  the  posterior  half  of  the  body  having  an  elevated 
horizontal  keel  in  the  centre,  forming  a  continuous  ridge,  each  scale  ending  in  a  point 
directed  backwards.  Two  distinct  dorsal  fins  ;  free  spines  before  the  anal  fin  ;  teeth 
exceedingly  minute  ;  branchiostegous  rays,  seven. 

CARANX  CHRYSOS,  Cuv. 

The  Yellow  Mackerel. 

(PLATE  XIV.  FIG.  1.) 

Scomber  chrysos,  Yellow  Mackerel,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  424. 
Le  Carangne jaune  (Scomber  chrysos,  MITCH.  ;  Scomber  hippos,  LIN.),  CUT.  et  VAL.,  ix.  p.  98. 
Caranx  chrysos,  Yellow  Caranx,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  121,  pi.  27,  fig.  85. 

"  "  "       STOBER,  Proceedings  of  Host.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  I.  p.  148. 

"  "  "  "  "        Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  353. 

"  "  "  "  "         Synopsis,  p.  301. 

Color.  Of  a  greenish-blue  color  upon  the  back  and  upper  portions  of  its  sides ;  the 
greater  portion  of  the  sides  of  a  bright  yellow.  An  obscure  dark-brown  blotch  is  observed 
at  the  posterior  superior  angle  of  the  operculum.  The  abdomen  is  yellowish-white. 
The  pupils  are  black ;  the  irides  golden.  The  dorsal  and  pectoral  fins  are  yellowish- 
brown.  The  caudal  fin  is  yellowish  throughout  its  greatest  extent.  The  ventrals  and 
the  anal  are  of  the  color  of  the  sides. 

Description.  The  length  of  the  head  is  less  than  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  entire 
fish.  The  top  of  the  head  and  the  gill-covers  are  smooth,  and  destitute  of  scales ;  the 
top  of  the  head  is  arched  ;  upon  its  top  is  a  distinct  ridge,  which  passes  from  above  and 

VOL.    V.    NEW    SERIES.  22 


154  HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

between  the  nostrils  to  the  spine  before  the  first  dorsal  fin.  The  eyes  are  large  and  cir- 
cular ;  the  portion  at  the  superior  anterior  angle  of  the  eyes  is  translucent ;  at  the  ante- 
rior extremity  of  this  space  the  nostrils  are  situated,  and  are  obliquely  oval,  the  posterior 
being  the  larger.  The  jaws  are  about  equal  in  length,  armed  with  numerous  very  minute 
teeth,  which  are  also  observed  on  the  vomer  and  palatine  bones.  The  tongue  is  rounded 
and  single. 

The  lateral  line  commences  just  back  of  the  blotch  upon  the  opercula,  and  passes 
(slightly  obliquely)  upwards  opposite  the  posterior  half  of  the  pectorals,  then  courses 
downwards  to  near  the  extremities  of  the  pectorals,  whence  it  proceeds  in  a  straight 
line  to  the  extremity  of  the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail.  The  lateral  line  is  smooth  until 
it  assumes  a  straight  course ;  thence  it  is  armed  with  horny  plates,  about  forty-eight 
in  number ;  these  plates  at  first  are  scarcely  observable  ;  they  become  gradually  larger, 
and  are  most  prominent  upon  the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail ;  they  are  most  crowded  at  its 
termination.  These  plates  terminate  posteriorly  in  an  acute  angle,  rendering  the  line  a 
sharp  ridge. 

Just  in  front  of  the  first  dorsal  fin  is  a  naked  recumbent  spine,  which  projects  for- 
wards. 

The  rays  of  the  first  dorsal  fin  are  so  broken  in  my  specimen  that  I  am  obliged  to  use 
the  words  of  Dekay  respecting  it,  and  also  to  copy  this  portion  of  his  figure  :  —  "  The 
first  dorsal  fin  is  triangular.  This  fin  is  composed  of  eight  spinous  rays  ;  the  first  short, 
slender,  and  closely  attached  to  the  second,  which  is  shorter  than  the  third ;  the  fourth 
longest,  and  all  received  into  a  deep  groove." 

The  second  dorsal  arises  on  a  line  just  before  the  termination  of  the  pectoral  fins  ;  its 
rays  are  connected  by  a  dense  membrane;  the  first  ray  is  shorter  than  the  second;  the 
first  half-dozen  rays  much  the  highest ;  the  posterior  rays  are  very  short.  This  fin  shuts 
into  a  fleshy  groove  when  unexpanded  ;  the  fin  is  continued  to  the  fleshy  portion  of  the 
tail. 

The  pectoral  fins  commence  just  beneath  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum  ;  they 
are  long,  falciform,  articulated. 

The  ventral  fins  are  situated  just  back  of  the  pectorals ;  when  closed,  they  are  received 
into  a  concavity  of  the  abdomen,  to  which  they  are  attached  by  a  membrane  connected 
to  their  inferior  rays. 

The  anal  fin  is  of  a  similar  form  with  the  second  dorsal,  and,  like  that  fin,  shuts  into 
a  groove  at  its  base.  Two  strong  spines  are  situated  before  this  fin. 

The  caudal  fin  is  deeply  forked ;  two  carinae  are  seen  on  each  side  of  its  base. 

Length,  seven  and  a  half  inches. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  155 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  8  -  24.     P.  21.     V.  1  -  4.     A.  2  -  1  -  20.     C.  19*. 

Remarks.  I  have  seen  a  single  specimen  only  of  this  species,  which  was  taken  from 
one  of  the  bridges  connecting  Charlestown  with  this  city.  According  to  Dekay,  it  is 
found  in  great  abundance  at  New  York  in  the  autumn. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER,  DEKAY. 


GENUS  IX.     ARGYREIOSUS,  LACEP. 

Body  much  compressed.  Spines  between  the  dorsal  fins.  Dorsal,  ventral,  and  anal 
rays  filamentous. 

ARGYREIOSUS  CAPILLARIS,  Dekay. 

The  Hair-finned  Dory. 

(PLATE  XIV.  FIG.  3.) 

Zeus  caplilaris,  Hair-finned  Dory,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  383,  pi.  2,  fig.  2. 
Argyreiosus  capillaris,  Hair-finned  Argyreiose,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  125,  pi.  27,  fig.  82. 

"  "  STORES,  Mem.  Amcr.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  356. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  104. 

Color.  Of  a  beautiful  silvery  color,  with  several  dark,  almost  black,  transverse  bands 
crossing  the  upper  part  of  the  sides  ;  these  bands  disappear  in  the  dead  fish.  The  dorsal 
and  ventral  filaments  are  black. 

Description.  The  body,  which  is  perfectly  smooth,  is  of  an  irregular  rhomboidal  form, 
exceedingly  compressed  laterally.  The  forehead  is  high,  and  gradually  slopes  to  the 
snout,  which  is  very  prominent. 

The  length  of  my  specimen  is  two  inches  and  five  eighths ;  its  depth  from  the  base 
of  the  first  dorsal  across  to  the  pectorals  is  about  two  inches  ;  its  greatest  thickness 
is  less  than  one  quarter  of  an  inch.  The  length  of  the  head  is  seven  eighths  of  an 
inch.  The  jaws  are  equal  when  closed.  The  eyes  are  circular,  and  are  a  little  more 
than  an  eighth  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  The  nasal  orifices  are  directly  in  front  of  the 
eyes.  The  branchial  rays  are  exposed.  A  slightly  raised  line  passes  upward  from  the 
upper  portion  of  the  operculum,  curving  backward  before  reaching  the  base  of  the  first 
dorsal.  Just  back  of  this  commences  the  lateral  line,  which  at  its  origin  rises  immedi- 
ately, makes  a  semicircle  of  an  inch  in  height,  and  is  then  continued  in  a  straight  line  to 
the  tail.  Three  slight  protuberances  are  situated  anterior  to  the  first  dorsal  fin. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  is  composed  of  eight  rays,  the  first  of  which  is  a  minute  spine  ; 
the  second  is  a  membranous  ray  prolonged  into  a  filament,  measuring  in  its  whole  extent 


156  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

four  and  a  half  inches ;  the  third  ray  is  about  half  an  inch  long ;  the  remaining  five 
rays  are  small,  naked  spines. 

The  second  dorsal  fin,  which  appears  to  be  almost  a  continuation  of  the  first  dorsal  fin, 
is  continued  nearly  to  the  tail.  The  first  ray  is  spinous  ;  the  second  ray  is  nearly  an  inch 
long  ;  the  fifteen  posterior  rays  are  of  equal  height. 

The  pectoral  fins  are  situated  directly  on  a  line  with  the  base  of  the  first  dorsal. 

The  ventral  fins  are  an  inch  and  five  eighths  in  length.  Anterior  to  the  anal  fin  are 
two  small  spines.  The  first  ray  of  the  anal  fin  is  spinous ;  the  first  four  membranous 
rays  are  longer  than  the  remainder ;  the  first  membranous  ray  is  half  an  inch  long  ;  the 
posterior  rays  are  as  high  as  the  corresponding  ones  of  the  second  dorsal  fin.  This  fin 
terminates  opposite  the  termination  of  the  second  dorsal. 

The  caudal  fin  is  deeply  forked  ;  the  depth  of  its  fleshy  portion  is  less  than  the  eighth 
of  an  inch  ;  the  length  of  its  rays  is  half  an  inch. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  8-1-22.    P.  17.    V.  1-5.    A.  2-1-18.     C.  17. 

Length,  five  and  a  half  inches. 

Remarks.  The  only  individual  of  this  species  I  have  known  to  be  taken  on  our  coast, 
was  captured  in  a  seine  at  New  Bedford,  in  August,  1842,  and  sent  to  me  by  Mr.  William 
H.  Taylor  of  that  place.  I  received  it  in  fine  condition,  and  from  it  the  accompanying 
figure  was  made.  Dekay  observes  that  this  fish  is  taken  in  the  month  of  August  "  in 
very  inconsiderable  numbers  "  in  gill-nets. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY. 

ARGYREIOSUS  UNIMACULATUS,  Batchelder. 
The  One-spotted  Dory. 

(PLATE  XIV.  FIG.  2.) 

Argyreiosus  unimaculatus,  BATCHELDBR,  Proceed.  Best.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist,  n.  p.  78. 

STOBEB,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  523. 
"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  271. 

Color.  Above,  light  bluish-slate  ;  on  sides  and  belly,  silvery ;  an  ill-defined  fuliginous 
band  passing  upwards,  slightly  backward,  from  superior  angle  of  eye.  On  sides,  over 
vertebral  column,  but  not  reached  by  pectorals,  a  single  darkish  oblong  spot,  of  moderate 
size. 

Description.  Outline  of  body  semicircular  beneath,  semioval  above ;  truncated  and 
inclined  in  front ;  its  depth  five  eighths  its  length,  of  which  its  greatest  thickness  is 
about  one  eleventh,  it  being  very  much  compressed.  Head  large,  gibbous  above,  thence 


HISTORY    OF   THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  157 

inclined  forwards.  Mouth  and  throat  greatly  projecting.  Length  of  head  about  one 
third  the  length  of  body ;  its  depth  through  eyes  about  three  fifths  the  greatest  depth. 
Eyes  rather  large,  situated  about  midway  between  top  of  head  and  throat ;  their  diame- 
ter about  three  fifths  of  the  distance  above  them.  Nostrils  double,  in  front  of  eye  ;  the 
anterior  nearly  beneath  the  posterior.  Jaws  about  equal.  Scales  wanting.  Lateral  line 
with  an  abrupt  curve  over  pectorals  to  lateral  spot ;  thence  straight  to  tail. 

First  dorsal  commences  slightly  in  front  of  pectorals.  Second  ray  strongly  filamentous  ; 
others  somewhat  so.  Between  this  and  the  second  dorsal  four  short  but  well-defined 
spines. 

The  first  ray  of  the  second  dorsal  is  short  and  spinous ;  the  next  four  much  longer  than 
the  rest,  which  are  of  nearly  equal  length. 

Pectorals  quite  large,  of  an  elongated  oval  shape. 

Ventrals  somewhat  filamentous,  with  an  almost  concealed  spine  at  base. 

Anal  preceded  at  some  distance  by  two  spines,  of  which  the  anterior  is  the  smaller  ; 
another  spine  at  origin  of  the  fin.  Along  its  base,  as  at  that  of  the  dorsal,  are  spines 
corresponding  in  number  to  the  rays,  their  points  directed  backward. 

Caudal  fan-shaped  and  deeply  emargiuate. 

Length,  two  inches. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  8  -  1  -  22.     P.  9.     V.  4.     A.  2  -  1  -  17.     C.  20. 

Remarks.  Although  in  many  respects  this  fish  resembles  the  A.  capillaris,  I  think  it 
must  be  distinct,  and  if  so,  the  unimaculatus  of  Batchelder.  His  specimen  was  taken  at 
Saco,  Maine.  The  only  specimen  I  have  seen  was  caught  in  a  scoop-net  at  one  of  the 
bridges  leading  to  South  Boston,  in  October,  1847,  and  sent  to  Dr.  Gould,  who  kindly 
transmitted  it  to  me. 

Maine,  BATCHELDER.     Massachusetts,  STOKER. 

GENUS  X.    SERIOLA,  Cov. 

Lateral  line  with  scales  not  larger  than  those  on  the  rest  of  the  body.  First  dorsal  fin 
with  a  continuous  membrane.  No  finlets. 

SERIOLA  ZONATA,  Cuvier. 
The  Banded  Mackerel. 
(PLATE  XV.  FIG.  5.) 

Scomber  xmalus,  Banded  Mackerel,  MITCHILI,,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  427,  pi.  4,  fig.  3. 
La  Seriate  a  ceintures,  Serioh  sonata,  Cuv.  ct  VAL.,  ix.  p.  213. 


158  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Seriola  sonata,  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  128,  pi.  9,  fig.  26. 

"          "       STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  357. 
"          "  "        Synopsis,  p.  105. 

Color.  Of  a  silvery-brown  color  ;  lighter  upon  the  sides,  with  a  yellowish  tint,  which 
is  also  observable  upon  the  opercula  and  along  the  lower  jaw.  Five  well-marked  dark- 
brown  transverse  bands,  upon  the  sides,  passing  from  the  dorsum  to  the  abdomen,  are 
continued  upon  the  dorsal  fin. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  is  black.  The  second  dorsal  fin  has  a  yellowish  tinge  ;  its  first  rays 
are  tipped  with  white.  The  ventrals  are  fuliginous  beneath,  with  their  extremities  yel- 
lowish-white. The  centre  of  the  anal  fin  is  of  a  greenish  brown  ;  its  base  and  tips  are 
white.  The  caudal  fin  is  yellowish-green,  with  a  dusky  tinge  at  its  base  and  posterior 
portion  ;  its  extremity  is  white. 

Description.  Body  elongated,  compressed,  with  very  minute  scales.  Its  greatest 
depth  is  more  than  the  length  of  its  head.  The  length  of  the  head  is  less  than  one  third 
the  length  of  the  body ;  the  top  of  the  head  and  the  opercula  are  destitute  of  scales. 
The  eyes  are  circular,  and  of  moderate  size.  The  nostrils  are  double,  oval,  just  anterior 
to  the  edge  of  the  superior  orbitar  bone.  The  gape  of  the  mouth  is  large  ;  the  jaws  are 
armed  with  several  rows  of  minute  card-like  teeth.  The  tongue,  pharnyx,  palatine,  and 
vomer  roughened  by  slight  asperities. 

The  lateral  line,  which  is  a  mere  thread,  commences  at  the  superior  angle  of  the  oper- 
culum,  and  slants  downwards  in  an  undulatory  manner  to  about  opposite  the  middle  of 
the  second  dorsal  fin,  whence  it  pursues  a  straight  course  to  the  tail,  being  elevated  into 
a  ridge  upon  its  fleshy  portion,  forming  a  well-marked  carina. 

Just  in  front  of  the  dorsal  fin  is  a  small  distinct  truncated  spine,  pointing  forwards. 

The  first  dorsal  fin,  which  is  composed  of  seven  spinous  rays,  is  quite  small  and  trian- 
gular ;  it  arises  just  back  of  the  pectorals,  and  is  united  by  a  prolongation  of  its  connect- 
ing membrane  to  the  base  of  the  first  ray  of  the  second  dorsal  fin  ;  its  third  and  fourth 
rays  are  highest ;  the  first  ray  and  last  two  rays  are  very  short. 

The  second  dorsal  fin  arises  opposite  the  extremity  of  the  ventrals,  and  is  continued 
until  within  a  short  distance  of  the  tail ;  it  is  high  at  its  origin,  diminishes  in  height  until 
about  the  fourteenth  or  fifteenth  ray,  and  the  remainder  of  the  rays  are  about  the  same 
height ;  the  rays  are  bifid  at  their  extremities,  all  of  which  slightly  project  above  the  con- 
necting membrane. 

The  pectoral  fins  are  subtriangular,  and  are  situated  directly  beneath  the  posterior 
angle  of  the  operculum. 

The  ventral  fins  are  just  beneath  the  origin  of  the  pectorals,  and  are  composed  of  five 
strong  multifid  rays. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  159 

Just  anterior  to  the  origin  of  the  anal  fin  are  two  very  minute  naked  spines,  the  ante- 
rior of  which  is  the  smaller. 

The  anal  fin  is  similar  in  form  to  the  second  dorsal,  and  terminates  on  a  plane  with  it. 

The  caudal  fin  is  very  deeply  forked  ;  its  rays  are  articulated,  and  its  two  extremities 
terminate  in  sharp  points. 

Length,  about  ten  inches. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  1  -7  -38.     P.  20.     V.  6.     A.  2-20.     C.  15f. 

Remarks.  I  have  seen  but  two  specimens  of  this  fish.  Both  of  these  were  caught  in 
the  harbor  of  Wellfleet,  one  in  August,  1844,  and  the  other  in  November,  1849.  De- 
kay  speaks  of  it  as  not  being  uncommon  in  Long  Island  Sound. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY. 

GENUS  XI.    TEMNODON,  Cuv. 

The  tail  unarmed ;  the  little  fins  or  the  detached  spines  before  the  anal,  as  in  Seriola. 
The  first  dorsal  fragile  and  low,  the  second  and  the  anal  covered  with  small  scales ; 
but  the  principal  character  consists  in  a  row  of  separated,  pointed,  and  cutting  teeth  in 
each  jaw  ;  behind  the  upper  ones  is  a  row  of  smaller  teeth,  and  there  are  some  fine  as 
velvet  on  the  vomer,  palate,  and  tongue.  The  operculum  terminates  in  two  points,  and 
there  are  seven  branchiostegous  rays. 

TEMNODON  SALTATOR,  Cuv. 

The  Blue-fish. 
(PLATE  XV.  FIG.  1.) 

Saltatrix,  Skipjack,  Green-fish,  LIN.,  CATESBT'S  Carolina,  II.  pL  14. 
Gasterosteus  saltatrix,  LIN.,  12  edit,  p.  491. 

"  "        Slapping  Stickleback,  SHAW,  Gen.  Zoo}.,  iv.  p.  609. 

Pomatome  Skip,  LACEPEDE,  iv.  p.  436. 

Scomber  plumbeus,  Horse- Mackerel,  MITCHILL,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  T.,  I.  p.  424,  pi.  4,  fig.  1. 
Le  Temnodon  sauteur  ( Temnodon  saltator,  Cuv. ;  Perca  saltatrix,  LIN.  ;  Cheilodiptere  poptucanthe,  LACEP.),  Cuv.  et  VAL., 

ix.  p.  225,  pi.  260. 
Temnodon  saltator,  Blue-Jish,  STOREH,  Report,  p.  57. 

ATKES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  iv.  p.  261. 
"  "  "  DEKAT,  Report,  p.  130,  pi.  26,  fig.  81. 

STOREB,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  360. 
"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  108. 

Color.  The  upper  part  of  the  body  is  bluish  ;  a  greenish  tinge  upon  the  sides  and 
abdomen.  The  irides  are  yellow.  The  pectorals  are  of  a  greenish-brown  color,  with  a 
deep  black  blotch  at  their  base  beneath.  The  second  dorsal  and  caudal  fin  are  likewise 
of  a  greenish-brown  color.  The  ventral  and  anal  fins  are  of  a  bluish-white  color. 


160  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Description.  Body  oblong,  compressed,  becoming  suddenly  narrower  at  the  base  of 
the  tail.  Length  of  the  head  not  quite  equal  to  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  fish  ;  head 
above  naked.  Preoperculum  naked  beneath,  finely  denticulated  upon  its  inferior  edge, 
and  terminated  inferiorly  and  posteriorly  in  an  obtuse  angle.  Eyes  circular,  and 
moderate  in  their  size.  Operculum  terminating  in  two  membranous  points  superiorly 
and  posteriorly,  which  do  not  amount  to  spines.  Nostrils  double,  terminating  in  the 
same  cavity ;  the  anterior  orifice  is  perpendicularly  ovate,  and  situated  directly  in  front 
of  the  posterior,  which  is  larger  and  crescent-shaped.  Gape  of  the  mouth  large.  Jaws 
armed  with  prominent,  sharp,  lancinated  teeth  ;  the  lower  jaw  has  but  one  row  of  these, 
ten  or  twelve  in  number ;  the  upper,  besides  a  similar  row  to  that  in  the  under,  has  a 
row  of  very  small  teeth  back  of  these.  A  row  of  very  minute  teeth  at  the  base  of  the 
tongue ;  also  small  teeth  upon  the  vomer.  The  lateral  line  commences  just  above  the 
posterior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and,  curving  slightly  at  its  commencement,  pursues 
nearly  a  straight  course  to  the  caudal  rays. 

The  first  dorsal  fin,  commencing  on  a  line  with  the  anterior  half  of  the  pectorals,  is 
composed  of  seven  spinous  rays,  the  second,  third,  and  fourth  of  which  are  longest ;  the 
rays  of  this  fin  are  connected  by  a  membrane,  which  proceeds  obliquely  backwards  from 
the  posterior  tip  of  one  to  the  anterior  centre  of  the  succeeding  ray.  This  fin,  when 
not  expanded,  is  received  into  a  groove  at  its  base. 

Just  back  of  the  first  dorsal  commences  the  second,  which  is  nearly  as  long  as  the 
head  ;  it  is  composed  of  a  very  dense  membrane,  which  envelops  all  the  rays,  the  second, 
third,  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth  of  which  are  longest ;  this  fin  is  slightly  emarginated  above, 
and  its  posterior  termination  resembles  a  finlet. 

The  pectorals  are  triangular. 

The  ventrals  are  beneath  the  pectorals,  and  are  fan-shaped. 

The  anal  fin,  similar  in  its  structure  and  form  to  the  second  dorsal,  arises  just  back  of 
the  origin  of  that  fin,  and  terminates  nearly  on  a  line  with  the  termination  of  it. 

The  caudal  fin  is  large,  and  deeply  forked. 

Length,  about  eighteen  inches. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  7  -  26.     P.  17.     V.  6.    A.  28.     C.  20. 

Remarks.  On  some  parts  of  our  coast  this  is  a  common  species.  Many  years 
since,  it  was  held  in  high  estimation  by  the  aborigines  of  our  country.  For  a  long 
series  of  years  it  disappeared  from  our  waters,  as  may  be  learned  from  a  journal 
of  the  first  settlement  of  the  island  of  Nantucket,  written  by  Zaccheus  Macey,  in 
1792,  and  contained  in  the  third  volume  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Collec- 
tions. In  this  account,  notice  is  taken  of  a  great  pestilence  which  attacked  the 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  161 

Indians  of  that  island  in  1763  and  1764,  with  such  mortality  that,  of  358,  the  whole 
number,  222  died.  He  adds :  "Before  this  period,  and  from  the  first  coming  of 
the  English  to  Nantucket,  a  large  fat  fish,  called  a  blue-fish,  twenty  of  which  would 
fill  a  barrel,  was  caught  in  great  plenty  all  round  the  island,  from  the  1st  of  the  6th 
till  the  middle  of  the  9th  month.  But  it  is  remarkable  that  in  the  year  1764,  the 
very  year  in  which  the  sickness  ended,  they  all  disappeared,  and  that  none  have  been 
taken  since."  Occasionally,  for  the  last  thirty  years,  a  few  straggling  specimens,  very 
small,  have  been  taken,  but  they  were  rarely  seen  until  within  the  last  fifteen  years. 
During  this  latter  period,  they  have  gradually  increased  in  numbers,  and,  generally  speak- 
ing, have  been  of  much  larger  size  than  when  they  were  first  observed.  Now  they  visit 
the  coast  south  of  the  Cape,  at  Buzzard's  Bay,  the  Vineyard  Sound,  and  Nantucket,  in 
large  numbers ;  and  also  Massachusetts  Bay  as  far  as  Boston,  from  the  wharves  of  which 
city  I  have  observed  specimens  to  be  taken  yearly  since  September,  1844.  This  species 
occasionally  weighs  fourteen  pounds.  In  its  flavor  it  resembles  the  mackerel,  and  is  high- 
ly esteemed  by  many  as  an  article  of  food ;  but  it  is  excessively  fat,  and  cannot  always 
be  borne  by  the  stomach.  In  the  early  part  of  summer  it  is  very  lean  ;  towards  the 
latter  part  of  summer  and  the  commencement  of  autumn,  it  is  in  a  state  of  perfection 
for  the  epicure.  Its  food  is  herring  and  mackerel,  and  when  it  appears  these  fisheries 
are  destroyed.  Thus,  in  March,  1846,  the  herring  fishery  on  the  south  side  of  Falmouth 
was  spoiled  by  the  ravages  of  this  species.  On  the  night  of  the  27th  of  June,  1847, 
Captain  Atwood  caught  in  his  mackerel-nets  two  large  blue-fish.  He  fished  but  two 
nights  more  that  season;  —  the  blue-fish  had  driven  the  mackerel  entirely  from  the 
coast.  From  that  time  until  now,  1853,  the  mackerel  fishery  at  Provincetown  has  been 
ruined.  It  is  usually  caught  from  the  shore  at  Nantucket  by  throwing  a  drail, — 
a  hook  fixed  into  a  piece  of  bone  or  ivory,  and  sometimes  pewter,  somewhat  in  the  form 
of  a  fish,  with  brass  wire  around  the  line  near  it,  to  prevent  its  being  bitten  ofif  by  the 
strong  jaws  of  the  fish.  It  is  also  caught  from  a  boat  under  sail  with  a  good  breeze,  the 
line  dragging  behind ;  and  they  have  been  taken  with  a  seine.  In  a  number  of  the 
Nantucket  Enquirer,  July  8th,  1837,1  find  the  following:  "  A  few  days  since,  there 
were  caught  at  one  haul,  241  blue-fish,  108  scuppaugs  or  poggies,  28  bass,  and  19  shad, 
in  all  396  fish,  weighing  about  half  a  ton." 

Maine,   H.   R.   STOKER.      Massachusetts,   STORER.      Connecticut,    AYRES,    LINSLEY. 
New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY.     South  Carolina,  LIN.,  Cuv. 

GENUS  XII.     EHOMBUS,   LACEP. 
Head  and  body  compressed.     Body  covered  with  minute  scales.     Extremity  of  the 

VOL.  V.    NEW   SERIES.  23 


162  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

pelvis  forming,  anterior  to  the  anus,  a  small,  pointed,  and  cutting  blade,  which  resembles 
a  vestige  of  the  ventral  fins.  A  horizontal,  partially  concealed  spine  before  the  dorsal 
and  anal  fins. 

RHOMBUS  TRIACANTHUS,  Dekay. 

The  Skipjack. 
(PLATE  XV.  FIG.  4.) 

Stromateus  triacanthus,  PECK,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  II.  p.  48,  pi.  2,  fig.  2.. 

Stromateus  cryptosus,  Cryptous  Broad-Shiner,  MITCH.,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  I.  p.  365,  pi.  I,  fig.  3. 

Peprilus  cryptosus,  Cuv.,  Griffith's  Transl.,  X.  p.  203. 

Le  Rhombe  tlfossettes  (RJiombus  cryptosus,  NOB.,  Stromateus  cryptosus,  MITCH.),  CUT.  et  VAL.,  IX.  p.  408. 

Peprilus  triacanthus,  Three-spined  Peprilus,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  60. 

Rhombus  triacanthus,  Shart-finned  Harvest-fish,  DEKAY,  Eeport,  p.  137,  pi.  75,  fig.  80. 

"  "  STOKEB,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  362. 

"  "  "        Synopsis,  p.  110. 

Color.  Of  a  leaden  color  upon  the  back ;  lighter  upon  the  sides ;  silvery  beneath. 
The  cheeks,  intermaxillaries,  chin,  base  of  pectorals,  and  base  of  caudal  fin,  together  with 
more  or  less  of  the  abdomen,  sprinkled  with  very  minute  -black  dots.  The  opercles  are 
cupreous. 

Description.  The  body  is  ovate,  very  much  compressed  laterally,  particularly  at  the 
abdomen.  The  arch  of  the  back  is  continued  to  the  spine  at  the  origin  of  the  dorsal  fin. 
The  length  of  the  head  is  rather  more  than  one  fifth  the  length  of  the  body,  and  is  grad- 
ually arched  from  the  snout.  The  eyes  are  circular  ;  their  diameter  is  equal  to  one  fourth 
the  length  of  the  head.  The  nostrils  are  small ;  the  anterior  is  circular,  the  posterior  a 
vertical  fissure.  The  mouth  is  of  moderate  size.  The  jaws  are  of  equal  length,  and 
present  at  their  edges  a  large  number  of  very  minute,  equal,  compact  teeth. 

The  lateral  line,  which  is  very  well  marked,  commences  just  back  of  the  posterior  angle 
of  the  operculum,  and,  arching  backwards,  curves  with  the  back  to  the  base  of  the  caudal 
fin.  A  slightly  depressed  straight  line,  destitute  of  scales,  is  seen  passing  from  beneath 
the  origin  of  the  lateral  line  to  the  middle  of  the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail ;  and  another 
line,  similar  in  appearance  to  the  last,  though  not  so  obvious,  passes  from  the  inferior  base 
of  the  pectorals,  curving  with  the  abdomen,  to  the  lower  part  of  the  fleshy  portion  of  the 
tail,  corresponding  in  its  course  to  that  of  the  lateral  line.  These  lines  gradually  disap- 
pear after  death.  On  each  side  of  the  dorsal  fin,  commencing  at  its  origin  and  terminat- 
ing towards  its  posterior  half,  are  situated  between  twenty  and  thirty  small  circular  black 
punctures,  the  orifices  of  mucous  ducts. 

At  the  origin  of  the  dorsal  fin  is  a  small,  naked,  horizontal  spine,  pointing  forwards. 
The  dorsal  fin  commences  opposite  the  anterior  half  of  the  pectorals,  and  is  continued  to 
the  fleshy  portion  of  the  tail.  The  fifth,  sixth,  and  seventh  rays  are  the  highest.  The 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  163 

most  posterior  rays  are  not  quite  equal  to  one  fourth  the  height  of  the  highest  rays. 
The  height  of  the  pectorals  is  one  fifth  greater  than  the  height  of  the  head. 

Just  back  of  the  anus  is  a  minute  naked  spine,  pointing  forwards  like  that  before  the 
dorsal  fin. 

The  anal  fin  terminates  opposite  the  extremity  of  the  dorsal  fin.  The  membrane  unit- 
ing the  rays  of  this  fin,  as  well  as  that  of  the  dorsal  fin,  is  very  fine,  appearing  to  be  a 
continuation  of  the  cuticle  of  the  fish  ;  it  is  not  continued  to  the  extremities  of  the  rays, 
which  are  naked  and  bifid.  Some  distance  anterior  to  the  anus  is  a  very  minute  spine, 
which  is  naked  and  directed  backwards. 

The  caudal  fin  is  deeply  forked  ;  its  longest  rays  are  higher  than  the  length  of  the  head. 

Length  about  ten  inches. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  45.     P.  21  .     A.  43.     C.  20. 

Remarks.  —  This  species  was  first  described  by  Professor  Peck  in  1794,  and  his  com- 
munication was  published  in  the  Memoirs  of  the  American  Academy  for  1804.  His  de- 
scription, which  was  a  very  accurate  one,  was  accompanied  by  a  respectable  figure.  His 
specimens  were  taken  on  the  coast  of  New  Hampshire.  This  fish,  which  is  known  upon 
some  portions  of  Cape  Cod  as  the  Sheep's-head,  and  at  Provincetown  by  the  name  of 
Skipjack,  is  not  uncommon  in  the  waters  of  our  State.  It  is  taken  along  the  Cape,  in 
considerable  quantities,  in  nets  with  bass  and  mackerel.  I  have  known  a  single  specimen 
to  be  taken  from  one  of  the  wharves  in  this  city.  A  peculiarly  unpleasant  odor  is  emit- 
ted by  this  fish  when  caught,  resembling  somewhat  that  of  sulphuretted  hydrogen,  which 
sometimes  produces  a  faintness  accompanied  with  headache  in  the  captor.  It  is  used  as 
bait  for  the  Striped  Bass  by  our  fishermen.  By  some  it  is  considered  an  excellent  pan- 
fish.  Being  very  oily,  it  is  principally  used  for  manure  upon  several  portions  of  Cape  Cod. 

New  Hampshire,  PECK.  Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  AYRES,  LINSLEY. 
New  York,  MITCHILL,  DEKAY. 

GENUS  XIII.    SPHYR^ENA,  Cuv. 

Body  elongated,  with  two  distinct  dorsals.  Lower  jaw  longest  ;  both  with  long  teeth. 
Ventrals  back  of  the  pectorals. 


BOREALIS, 

The  Northern  Barracuda. 
(PLATE  XII.  FIG.  3.) 

Split/ratio.  borealis,  Northern  Barracuda,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  39,  pi.  60,  fig.  196. 

STOKBK,  Proc.  of  Bost.  Nat.  Hist.  Soc.,  i.  p.  148. 
"        STOREB,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  300. 
"  "         Synopsis,  p.  48. 


164  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

Color.  Of  a  greenish  brown  above,  silvery  beneath ;  this  silvery  appearance  is  more 
striking  upon  the  inferior  portions  of  the  head  and  throat.  The  lateral  line  and  caudal 
fin  are  yellow. 

Description.  Body  very  much  elongated  and  slightly  compressed.  Length  of  head 
equal  to  about  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  body ;  it  is  flattened  above  and  ridged  ;  this 
upper  portion  of  the  head,  as  well  as  its  sides  in  front  of  the  eyes,  and  the  intermaxillaries, 
is  destitute  of  scales  ;  gill-covers  with  minute  scales.  The  operculum  terminates  posterior- 
ly in  an  acute  angle;  preoperculum  rounded  posteriorly.  Eyes  large,  circular;  distance 
between  eyes  equal  to  diameter  of  eye.  Nostrils  situated  directly  in  front  of  eye ;  the 
anterior  circular  and  the  smaller.  Snout  obtuse  ;  lower  jaw  projecting  beyond  the  upper. 
Gape  of  mouth  large.  Fleshy  protuberance  at  chin.  Posterior  teeth  in  lower  jaw  lar- 
gest of  all,  with  the  exception  of  the  two  anterior.  Two  prominent  sharp  teeth  on  each 
side  of  tip  of  upper  jaw.  A  large  number  of  very  minute  teeth  are  seen  upon  the  inter- 
maxillaries ;  numerous  teeth  also  upon  the  palatines  on  each  side,  the  three  anterior  of 
which  are  much  the  largest.  Tongue  rough.  The  lateral  line  commences  at  the  poste- 
rior superior  angle  of  the  operculum,  and,  curving  slightly  downwards  to  a  line  above  the 
posterior  half  of  the  pectoral  fin,  pursues  a  straight  course  thence  to  the  tail.  The  scales 
along  the  lateral  line  slightly  resemble  those  in  the  same  situation  of  the  genus  Caranx. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  commences  nearly  opposite  the  origin  of  the  ventral  fin.  It  is  of  a 
triangular  form ;  its  membrane  is  exceedingly  delicate  ;  the  second  ray  is  the  highest ; 
the  first  and  third  are  equal ;  the  length  and  greatest  height  of  the  fin  are  equal.  The 
tips  of  all  the  rays  project  considerably  beyond  the  connecting  membrane. 

The  second  dorsal  fin  commences  anterior  to  the  anal,  and  is  subquadrangular.  The 
membrane  connecting  the  rays  is  much  firmer  than  that  of  the  first  dorsal.  The  first  ray 
is  simple,  the  others  bifurcated. 

The  pectorals  commence  just  beneath  the  posterior  angle  of  the  operculum.  The  first 
ray  is  simple ;  its  height  is  about  equal  to  that  of  the  first  dorsal. 

The  ventrals  are  situated  beneath  the  first  dorsal ;  they  are  a  little  shorter  than  the 
pectorals. 

The  anal  is  situated  beneath  the  second  dorsal,  and  its  height  is  about  equal  to  the 
height  of  that  fin. 

The  caudal  is  deeply  forked. 

Length  about  nine  inches. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  — D.  5-10.     P.  14.     V.  6.     A.  10.     C.  20. 

Remarks.  Several  specimens  of  this  fish  were  sent  me  in  September,  1843,  by  Dr. 
Yale,  from  Holmes's  Hole. 

Massachusetts,  STOKER.     New  York,  DEKAT. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  165 


FAMILY  VI.     ATHERINHLE. 

Mouth  protractile;  no  notch  on  the  upper  jaw,  nor  tubercle  on  the  lower.  Suborbital 
not  dentated.  A  broad  silvery  band  on  the  side.  Very  small  crowded  teeth  on  the 
pharyngeals.  The  first  branchial  arch  with  long  pectinations.  Two  dorsal  fins,  most 
commonly  distant.  Ventrals  behind  the  pectorals. 

GENUS  I.    ATHERINA,  LIN. 

Body  elongated.  Two  dorsals  widely  separated ;  ventrals  further  back  than  the  pec- 
torals ;  mouth  highly  protractile,  and  furnished  with  very  minute  teeth.  A  broad  sil- 
very band  along  each  flank  on  all  the  known  species. 

ATHERINA  NOTATA,  Mitch. 

The  Dotted  Silver-side. 

(PLATE  XVI.  FIG.  1.) 

Alkerina  notata,  Small  Silver-side,  MITCHH.L,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  of  N.  Y.,  i.  p.  446,  pi.  4,  fig.  6. 
ZJAthdrine  de  Base  (Atherina  Boscii,  Cuv.,  Atherina  notata,  MITCH.),  Cuv.  et  YAL  ,  x.  p.  465. 
Atherina  Boscii,  Small  Silver-side,  STOKER,  Report,  p.  62. 

"          "  "  "         AYRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist,  IT.  p.  262. 

Atherina  notata,  Dotted  Silver-side,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  141,  pi.  28,  fig.  88. 

"          "       STOKER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  p.  366. 

"          "  "        Synopsis,  p.  114. 

Color.  Alive,  the  entire  fish  is  translucent,  with  the  exception  of  the  abdomen,  which 
is  rendered  opaque  by  the  contained  viscera.  The  body  is  greenish  above,  with  minute 
black  dots  distributed  along  the  edges  of  the  scales  upon  the  upper  portion  of  the  sides, 
and  over  the  entire  scales  upon  the  dorsum,  making  it  to  appear  quite  dark -colored. 
Upon  the  sides  a  beautiful  broad  silvery  band  runs  from  the  upper  base  of  the  pectorals 
to  the  tail ;  along  its  upper  edge  runs  the  black  lateral  line ;  the  portion  of  the  body  be- 
neath this  band  is  of  a  lighter  color  than  that  above  it,  and  of  a  silvery  appearance.  Mi- 
nute black  dots  exist  between  the  rays  of  the  anal  fin  at  its  base.  The  fins  are  all  trans- 
lucent, colorless,  and  articulated.  The  top  of  the  head  is  covered  with  minute  black  dots, 
similar  to  those  on  the  scales.  The  space  between  the  eyes  is  nearly  black,  owing  to  the 
black  pupils  beneath.  The  pupils  are  deep  black,  the  irides  a  beautiful  silvery  color. 
A  golden  reflection  is  seen  upon  the  operculum,  which  in  some  specimens  is  continued 
along  the  abdomen  to  the  vent. 

Description.     The  body  is  elongated,  somewhat  compressed,  flattened  upon  the  top  of 


166  HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

the  head.  The  scales  are  rounded,  smooth  at  their  edge  with  concentric  striae.  Its 
greatest  depth  is  equal  to  about  one  seventh  its  whole  length.  The  length  of  the  head  is 
rather  more  than  one  fifth  the  whole  length  of  the  body.  The  eyes  are  horizontally 
oval ;  their  greatest  diameter  is  equal  to  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  head ;  the  distance 
between  the  eyes  is  equal  to  their  greatest  diameter.  The  upper  jaw  is  slightly  the  longer 
when  the  mouth  is  closed ;  the  lower  jaw,  when  closed,  is  situated  obliquely  with  regard 
to  the  upper;  both  jaws  are  armed  with  minute  teeth.  The  mouth  is  very  protractile. 

The  first  dorsal  fin  arises  at  a  distance  back  of  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  pectorals 
about  equal  to  half  the  length  of  the  head.  It  is  subtriangular  when  expanded,  with  a 
very  delicate  connecting  membrane.  Its  first  ray  is  shorter  than  the  three  next  posterior ; 
the  last  ray  is  connected  to  the  dorsum  by  a  prolongation  of  the  connecting  membrane. 

The  second  dorsal  fin  is  situated  back  of  the  first,  at  a  distance  equal  to  that  at  which 
the  first  dorsal  is  back  of  the  extremities  of  the  pectorals.  This  fin  is  quadrate,  slightly 
emarginated  above  ;  its  posterior  ray  projects  slightly  beyond  the  preceding  rays. 

The  pectoral  fins  commence  directly  back  of  the  upper  part  of  the  operculum ;  their 
highest  rays  are  equal  to  three  quarters  the  length  of  the  head  ;  the  length  of  the  fin  is 
equal  to  one  third  of  its  height.  The  upper  rays  are  as  high  again  as  the  lower  rays, 
when  unexpanded.  These  fins  cover  a  portion  of  the  silvery  lateral  band. 

The  ventral  fins  are  fan-shaped,  and  arise  on  a  line  opposite  the  posterior  rays  of  the 
pectorals ;  their  rays  are  multifid  ;  they  are  connected  at  the  inner  edge  of  their  base  by 
a  delicate  membrane. 

The  anal  fin  is  situated  just  back  of  the  commencement  of  the  first  dorsal  fin ;  it  is 
much  elongated,  and  terminates  just  posterior  to  the  second  dorsal.  Its  first  eight  or  ten 
rays  are  much  the  highest. 

The  caudal  fin  is  deeply  emarginated.  The  height  of  its  outer  rays  is  equal  to  the 
height  of  the  pectorals. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  5  -9.     P.  12.     V.  5.     A.  25.     C.  18. 

Remarks.  This  species,  specimens  of  which  I  have  received  from  Holmes's  Hole  and 
Provincetown,  in  the  spring  and  autumn  accompanies  the  smelt  in  large  numbers  into  the 
mouth  of  Charles  River  at  Boston,  and  is  taken  by  the  boys,  by  whom  it  is  invariably 
called  the  Cupelin ;  which  is  the  common  name  of  the  Mallotus  villosus.  In  the  third 
volume  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Collections,  for  1794,  this  fish  is  called  the  Alhe- 
rina  (menidia),  Lin.,  and  is  spoken  of  as  being  "  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  River 
Piscataqua,  in  the  months  of  August  and  September."  The  author's  name  is  not  men- 
tioned, but  we  suppose  it  to  be  Professor  Peck,  who  then  resided  at  Kittery,  N.  H. 

New  Hampshire,  PECK.  Massachusetts,  STOKER.  Connecticut,  LINSLEY,  AYRES. 
New  York,  MITCHILL,  CUVIER,  DEKAY.  South  Carolina,  CUVIER. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FISHES    OF   MASSACHUSETTS.  167 


FAMILY  VII.     MUGILnXE. 

Body  almost  cylindrical,  covered  with  large  scales,  and  furnished  with  two  distinct 
dorsal  fins,  the  first  of  which  has  only  four  spinous  rays.  Head  rather  depressed,  also 
covered  with  large  scales  or  polygonal  plates.  Muzzle  very  short.  Teeth  very  fine, 
sometimes  scarcely  perceptible.  The  ventrals  are  attached  somewhat  behind  the  pecto- 
rals. Branchiostegous  rays,  six. 

GENUS  I.    MUGIL,  LIN. 

Ventrals  placed  a  short  distance  behind  the  pectorals.  The  first  dorsal  with  four  spi- 
nous rays.  The  middle  of  the  under  jaw  tuberculated  within,  and  a  corresponding  cavity 
in  the  upper  jaw.  Teeth  very  small. 

MUGIL  LINEATUS,  Mitch. 
The  Striped  Mullet. 

(PLATE  XVI.  FIG.  4.) 

Mugil  lineatus,  MITCH.,  MS.  communicated  to  Cuvier. 

Le  Mut/e  rdyt  (Mugil  lineatus,  MITCH.),  CUT.  et  VAL.,  Hist.  Nat.  de8  Poiss.,  II.  p.  96. 

Mugil  lineatus,  DEKAY,  Report,  p.  144,  pi.  15,  fig.  42. 

"          "        ATRES,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  V.  p.  265,  pi.  12. 

"         "        SIORER,  Mem.  Amer.  Acad.,  New  Series,  n.  367. 

"          "  "        Synopsis,  p.  115. 

Color.  Dusky  grayish-blue  above,  thence  to  steel  and  to  dirty  silvery,  with  metallic 
reflections  upon  lower  sides  and  abdomen.  Sides  throughout  their  whole  depth  from 
back  to  centre  of  belly  marked  with  continuous  longitudinal  and  parallel  lines,  equidistant, 
of  little  over  a  hair's  breadth,  and  passing  through  the  centre  of  each  scale  ;  the  two  up- 
per reach  over  the  top  of  the  head  to  the  snout ;  their  number  is  from  ten  to  fourteen. 
Snout  and  upper  operculum  clouded  with  greenish  fuliginous ;  lower  operculum  a  clear 
silver.  Pupils  black,  irides  yellowish.  All  the  fins  save  the  ventrals  clouded  with  dusky, 
even  the  membrane  of  first  dorsal.  Second  dorsal  and  caudal  the  darkest,  the  terminal 
margin  of  the  latter  edged  with  very  dark  brown.  A  deep  purplish  spot  at  upper  base  of 
pectorals. 

Description.  Body  nearly  cylindrical ;  dorsal  outline  somewhat  convex,  especially  gib- 
bous in  region  of  second  dorsal.  Depth  of  body  equal  to  length  of  head ;  depth  near  tail 
about  one  half  of  greatest  depth. 

Head  moderate  ;  its  length  about  one  fifth  that  of  the  entire  fish ;  somewhat  flattened 


168  HISTORY    OF    THE   FISHES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

above,  cheeks  slightly  protuberant.  Opercles  entire,  though  their  suture  is  plainly  visible. 
Space  between  edges  of  iuteropercula  of  moderate  size.  Jaws  nearly  equal,  the  lip  of 
the  upper,  which  is  protractile,  a  little  projecting;  the  tip  of  lower  jaw  with  a  pointed 
knob,  which  fits  into  a  corresponding  cavity  above.  Gape  of  mouth  moderate  and  tri- 
angular ;  outer  edge  of  upper  jaw  with  a  single  row  of  very  minute  teeth,  those  on  lower 
jaw  scarcely  perceptible,  even  if  present.  Nostrils  double ;  the  posterior  near  upper 
anterior  angle  of  eye ;  the  anterior  smallest  and  rounded.  Eyes  large,  their  diameter 
equal  to  about  two  thirds  the  distance  between  them ;  with  a  thick  gelatinous  membrane, 
which  more  than  covers  them,  and  extends  to  some  distance  around. 

Scales  throughout  body,  large,  rounded,  engraved ;  present  also  upon  throat  and  top  of 
head ;  in  which  latter  locality  some  of  them  are  strangely  channelled  and  grooved,  as  if 
by  worms. 

First  dorsal  commences  just  behind  a  line  midway  between  pectorals  and  second 
dorsal.  Moderate,  rounded  triangular ;  its  rays  spinous,  the  second  the  longest,  the  last 
the  smallest  and  least  stout.  When  shut,  concealed  nearly  from  view.  Rays  so  ar- 
ranged as  to  fall  alternately  upon  opposite  sides  of  the  median  line  when  fin  is  closed. 

Second  dorsal  quadrangular,  emarginated  posteriorly,  or  rather  superiorly ;  fleshy. 

Pectorals  subtriangular,  slightly  falciform ;  with  a  large,  delicate,  and  movable  axil- 
lary scale. 

Ventrals  with  a  movable  pelvic  plate,  their  first  ray  spinous  and  welded  to  the  next, 
the  rest  branched  ;  in  advance  of  the  pectorals. 

Anal  commences  slightly  in  front  of  second  dorsal,  and  terminates  about  on  a  line  with 
it;  the  first  three  rays  progressively  increase  in  length,  the  first  of  them  being  very  short, 
and  are  spinous. 

Caudal  deeply  emarginated. 

The  fin  rays  are  as  follows  :  —  D.  4  -  9.     P.  1 6.     V.I -5.     A.  3  - 10.     C.  14. 

Length  ten  inches. 

Remarks.  Dekay  says  this  species  "  was  first  detected  on  our  coast  by  Dr.  Mitchill, 
who  sent  a  specimen,  with  the  name  and  a  description,  many  years  ago."  Cuvier,  in  his 
Histoire  Naturelle  des  Poissons,  accepts  the  specific  name  of  Mitchill. 

The  only  individual  of  this  species  I  have  known  to  be  taken  in  our  waters  was  found 
by  Captain  Atwood  on  the  northern  side  of  Long  Point,  Provincetown,  November  7th, 
1851,  where  it  had  run  ashore. 

Massachusetts,  STOREK.  Connecticut,  AYRES,  LINSLEY.  New  York,  MITCHILL,  CU- 
VIER, DEKAY. 


PI.  9. 


Tappan.  &•  Sonrel  from    aat 


Printed  by  Tappan  8.   Bradford-. 


l.OTOLITHUS   REGALIS   Cuv.  •  -  4-6  .UMBRINA  NEBULOSA,  Storer. 


PI.  10 


A  Sonrd  on  slon 


Prml«JT.yTappai.  8.  Bradford. 


1-3.SARGUS    OVIS    Mitch.  -  4-6. PAORUS   ARGYROPS.Lin. 


PI.  11 


~x 


Tappau  £.  Sonrel  from  aal . 


td  by  Tappan   &.   Bradford 


1,  SCOMBER  DLKAYI,  Storer.  2  ,  4  .  SCOMBER  VERNALIS  ,  Mkcl\. 

S  .  P  E  LAMYS    SARD  A ,  Cuv. 


PL   11. 


Tap  pan  It  Sonrel.  Froruual . 


Printed  l>yl«pfan 


l.SCQMBERDEKAYI,  Scorer.  2  ,  4  .  SCOMBER  VERNALIS  ,  Mucli. 

5.  PELAMYS    SARD  A  Cuv. 


PI.  13  . 


Tajp  an.  at  S  torm 


Priii-ted  lay  Tappan.  &   Bradford.. 


1.CYB1UM  MACULATUM.Cuv.  —  2.XIPHIAS    GLADIUS ,  Lin. 
35.PALINURUS    PERCIFORMIS.Dekay. 


PI.   14 


Tappa.iv  SiSonreL. 


Printed  byTappan  &  Brndforci. 


l.CARANX  CRYSOS.Cuv.  —    2  ARGYREIOSUS    UNIMACULATUS ,  Batch. 
3  .  ARGYREIO  SU  S     CAP  I LL APJ  S  ,  D  elcay . 


PI.  15 


1. 


Printed  by  Tappait    ft  Jl  i 


1.TEMNODON    SALTATOR  Cuv  4;.  RHOMBUS    TRIACAWTHUS  ,  Dekay 

5.   SERIOLA    ZOKAT.A,  Cuv 


PL  16 


Priiu.=i  by  Tappun  &  Brxiford. 


1-3.ATHERINA    NO  TATA    Mitch.,-  4.5.MU&IL    LINEATUS  .Mitch. 


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